Details

Title

Elephant Headdress

Artist/Maker

Bamileke Artist, Cameroon

Date

Nineteenth century

Medium

Glass beads, wood, cloth, and raffia

Dimensions

17 1/2 x 23 3/8 x 20 1/8 inches

Credit

Purchase through funds provided by patrons of Collectors Evening 2011

Accession #

2011.1

On View

On View - Stent Family Wing, Skyway, Gallery 403

During the nineteenth century, when this work was made, elephant masks were among the most prestigious of all the masquerades performed by groups of wealthy, titled men in the small Bamileke kingdoms of the Cameroon Grassfields. The elephant, like the leopard, was a royal symbol. They were also considered the alter egos of Bamileke kings, who were described as having the ability to transform into either creature at will. Elephant masks were referred to as “things of money” because they were profusely ornamented with glass beads made in Venice or Czechoslovakia.

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