Zemanek-Münster
Rare trophy calabash, 19th century
Rare trophy calabash, 19th century 2/6 Rare trophy calabash, 19th century 3/6 Rare trophy calabash, 19th century 4/6 Rare trophy calabash, 19th century 5/6 Rare trophy calabash, 19th century 6/6
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Lot 221
90.I Tribal Art and 90.II Contemporary Native American Art

Rare trophy calabash, 19th century

Cameroon Grassfields, Bamum
sold EUR 1,500
Provenance
Ulrich Klever, St. Georgen, Germany
Size
H: 56 cm
H: 22.0 inch

Description

gourd, human jaw bones with teeth, animal tail and horns, rattan,
The Bamum kings regularly conducted wars and military campaigns during the dry season. This constant expansion increased the wealth and influence of the kingdom. This calabash, a gourd adorned with the jaws of slain enemies, would have been paraded in celebration of the victorious return of the conquering heroes.

Comparing literature

Dagan, Esther A., The African Calabash, New York 1988, p. 112, ill. 96
Africa

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