Beaded Bird Dancing Group Mask - Tribal Art
A stunning bird mask covered with an enticing interplay of beads of varying shapes and sizes. The gorgeous head of this mask is adorned black and dark blue beads and sports a striking comb fashioned from vibrant red beads. The folded wings and tail of the sculpted bird are decorated with red, cyan and white beads in diamond and triangle shapes which are separated by alternating lines of white and deep blue beads. The whole piece is complemented by a gorgeous layer of patina.
Dimensions approx. 56 x 23 x 14 cm
Beaded art from the Cameroon Grasslands collected between 1985 and 2005. Rulers throughout the many Kingdoms in the Cameroon Grassland region (Bamileke –Bamum -Tikar) employed a range of Regalia to assert their political, economic and religious power. Presented publicly in lavish displays of wealth and power, many court objects were distinguished by their elaborate bead embroidery. Imported from Venice, Bohemia or Amsterdam, glass beads were considered a luxury material whose use and distribution were controlled by the King. The decoration of objects with vast quantities of brilliantly colored beads transformed utilitarian objects into symbols of royal status and prestige.
All lots are in the state the collector acquire them. No restorations or cleaning has been performed.
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