500 Gallery
Live Auction

Antique & Vintage African Tribal Art

Thu, Apr 28, 2022 05:30PM EDT
Lot 61

Large Ceremonial Mask, Batcham People, Cameroon

Estimate: $2,500 - $3,500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$100,000 $5,000
African Tribal Art: Large Ceremonial Mask, Batcham People, Cameroon, early twentieth century. Carved wood with pigments. This unusually horizontal example of a Tsesah from the Bamileke culture in the western Grasslands of Cameroon is designed on a symmetrical vertical axis with chiseled furrows, stylized eyes, lips, nostrils, an ovular mouth with multiple teeth and swollen cheeks The mask depicts a hippopotamus emerging from watery depths, conveying nature’s power conferred to enthroned royalty. The mask comes with a custom made steel display stand.

Provenance: Private Collection, Massachusetts, Private collection, New York

Dimensions: 28"H x 34"W x 12"D; 55"H on stand.

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Condition

Patinated, aged with some material and pigment losses. Please inspect the photos and videos, which supplement the written description and show the condition of this lot.

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NOTE: If documentation is not listed, the lot is sold without documents.

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