Helmet mask, female type, "ngoin" ·  Cameroon Grassfields, Kom · ID: 3038278

Description

wood, matt blackish brown patina, white and red paint, drilled holes in ears and chin (for attachment of ornament), slightly dam., cracks, rep. (right side of the head, neck), collection number handwritten in red paint at the rim: “70.515”, metal base;
shows the distinct headdress of royal titled wives. The complete traditional vestment consists of a garment of blue and white royal cloth and a flywhisk. The mask dances in short contained steps appropriate to her noble image. The mask is worn on the head and the wearer looks through a cloth or net head covering.

The object Helmet mask, female type, “ngoin” with the object ID 3038278 was last part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction at March 21, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 341.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Wittmer, Marcilene, Cameroon, Charlotte 1977, p. 9