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.
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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