Beaded Helmet Mask - Copper Covered Face - Tribal Art
This gorgeous wooden mask is detailed with a pattern of indentations along the forehead, nose and cheeks. A beautiful matte patina covers the copper parts of the mask and accentuates the relief patterns. The ears are decorated with copper studs that have retained their shine. Upon the head stands a crown fashioned from black, white, red and blue beads. These multi-coloured beads form a simple yet elegant design that nicely compliments the copper detail of the face.
Dimensions approx. 42 x 28 x 26 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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