Beaded Red Buffalo Dancing Group Mask - Tribal Art
A gorgeous red buffalo mask. The wooden mask is beset with red cylindrical glass beads. The tips of the horns are covered with contrasting blue beads. The eyes, nostrils and the base of the horns are decorated with alternating lines of white and dark blue beads. A striking line of cowrie shells runs along the length of the mask. The open mouth of the mask sports an expertly carved set of wooden teeth.
Dimensions approx. 43 x 32 x 16 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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