A transformation ritual vessel of the Mambila from the Foubiegouo chiefdom in Cameroon. A face with bared teeth and a spiked halo looks out above a smooth upper belly, with a heavily studded lower body below.

1. Form and Modelling

The collection catalogue lists two vessels under this entry, with dimensions of 34 x 50 x 66 and 28 x 33 x 53 cm. The photograph shows one of them. At the top, a round head is ringed by a crown of pointed spikes. The wide-open mouth shows two blocks of modelled teeth, and the eyes are small raised discs. Round ears with incised spirals stand out at the sides. Two arms with ridged bands curve down from the face, ending in splayed hands with fingers under the chin, and then loop outwards over the shoulders.

2. Surface

The belly is divided in two. Its upper half is smooth, with a slight dip like a shallow basin, and bears only a few faint marks. The lower half is a rounded zone covered in regular rows of pointed studs, with a scalloped upper edge. The clay is orange-brown, with darker flecks in the relief. The vessel stands on a braided ring of plant fibre. The collection catalogue assigns the object to the Foubiegouo chiefdom.

Summary

A vessel from Foubiegouo in which a toothed, spiked face and a smooth upper belly set against a studded lower body create a clear contrast of textures.