Sitting figure · Cameroon Grassfields, Bamileke/Bangwa · ID: 3042947
French Collection
Description
wood, strongly encrusted greyish brown sacrificial patina, simplified board-shaped seat, arms peculiarly twisted and sharply angled on height of the shoulders, the round face crowned by waisted headdress, prominent teeth revealing mouth, slightly dam., missing part (right foot), backside, right side of the body and headdress strongly marked by weathering, base.
The Bamileke carved commemorative figures which represented local rulers, titled wives, dignitaries, as well as loyal retainers of the king. These figures were especially honoured, cared for and kept in safe places. Only on special occasions they were displayed in public. It is also possible that present figure belongs to the type of “mu’po” figures. In that case it was used by the “kun’gan” society for soothsaying rituals.