A tall-necked vessel from the Mambila of Cameroon, shaped as a head on a rounded body, with a coiled relief across the front. The collection catalogue records it as coming from the Foubiegouo Chiefdom.

1. Form

The neck rises as a head with a round, rimmed opening in place of the mouth, from which a broad tongue hangs forward. A textured band of fine incised hatching frames the head, and small studs run down both sides of the neck. The body below is full and rounded. Across its front a raised coil winds in concentric loops around a central bulge, with a pair of twisted bands running up toward the neck. At the sides the body ends in two small arms with spread fingers.

2. Surface

The surface is smooth and dark brown, with a soft sheen on the body and lighter, worn areas on the tongue. The incised cord-like pattern on the relief is crisp. The vessel stands on a ring of plaited plant fibre.

3. Context

The collection catalogue designates the piece a transformation ritual vessel from the Foubiegouo Chiefdom and refers to two related vessels in the collection.

Summary

A Mambila ritual vessel from the Foubiegouo Chiefdom, Cameroon, with a head-shaped spout and tongue above a body carved with concentric coiled relief.