Elephant mask

Object Details

Undetermined artist

Label Text

The elephant is well documented in the Cameroon Grassfields as a symbol of leadership. It is best known in the dramatic form of bead covered cloth masks from the Bamileke peoples. Much more obscure is the origin and meaning of this type of wooden mask. Large wood elephant masks generally are described in early colonial accounts as being acquired in the Tikar region, or more specifically in the town of Bali, a market and administrative center. However no useful documentation exists as to source or use.

Description

Wood cap mask of elephant head with extended trunk curving inward at tip, horns forming a circle and ovoid ears. White pigment is visible in ears, at base of ears and outlining oval eyes.

Provenance

Galerie AAA (Rasmussen), Paris, -- to 1968

Robert and Nancy Nooter, Washington, D.C., 1968 to 1978

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Gift of Robert and Nancy Nooter

Mid-20th century

Object number

78-16-4

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Mask

Medium

Wood, pigment

Dimensions

H x W x D: 68.6 x 29.8 x 21.3 cm (27 x 11 3/4 x 8 3/8 in.)

Geography

Grassfields region, Northwestern Province, Cameroon

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

elephant

male

Record ID

nmafa_78-16-4

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys78cf23319-5431-4010-8776-4be58411358a