BAMILEKE, Cameroon . Dance Mask...

Description

BAMILEKE, Cameroon
Dance Mask

Wood, pigment, encrustation

This expressive mask would have been a part of a large mask display that appeared at festivals and funeral celebrations of important individuals. The style of mask with the spider-motif coif, large brow ridges and grinning mouth is distributed throughout a region of the Grasslands that seems to be centered around Oku. This mask would have been worn atop the dancer's head while a netted costume would have concealed his identity.

Height: 17 ½ inches


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