Beaded Small Elephant Mask - Tribal Art
An enthralling elephant mask that is decorated with glass beads and cowrie shells. Instead of a full covering of beads, this mask is elegantly adorned with lines of beads that are centred around the forehead of the animal and seemingly envelop the mask’s facial features. Blue and dark yellow beads are gorgeously used to decorate the elephant’s face and ears. The striking set of tusks is fully covered in ivory coloured beads. Cowrie shells are delightfully used as eyes to enhance the realism of the mask.
Dimensions approx. 47 x 20 x 14 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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