Elephant mask

Object Details

Undetermined artist

Label Text

The elephant is well documented in the Cameroon Grassfields as an 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 composed of an elephant head with extended trunk, horns forming a circle and circular ears.

Provenance

Pierre Arman, New York, -- to 1980

Content Statement

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Credit Line

Gift of Pierre Arman

1960s

Object number

80-6-2

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Mask

Medium

Wood, pigment

Dimensions

H x W x D: 21.9 x 98.4 x 12.4 cm (8 5/8 x 38 3/4 x 4 7/8 in.)

Geography

Grassfields region, Northwestern Province, Cameroon

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

elephant

Leadership

Male use

male

Record ID

nmafa_80-6-2

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys772a2a8aa-68c9-4439-baa9-c8844b1a81b6