Mask "nkoh" of the "kungan" society · Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke · ID: 3029847
Description
wood, encrusted brown patina, remains of kaolin and animal hair, collection number “73559” on the rear, pierced around the rim, min. dam., rep., missing parts, traces of insect caused damage, on base;
one of the most dangerous and ferocious Bamileke masks, just used on occasion of big festivities. During the perfomance the mask was fixed by ropes and sprinkled with water in order to calm its aggressiveness. “Kungan” is a kind of religious society, led by nine priests, responsible for healing and truth telling.
The object Mask “nkoh” of the “kungan” society with the object ID 3029847 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 324 achieved a sales price of EUR 800.
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Comparing literature
Robbins, Warren M., Ingram Nooter, Nancy, African Art in American Collections, o.O. 1989, p. 310, ill. 793