A large carved wooden mask, 50 cm, from the Kounden chiefdom in the Sultanate of Foumban, Cameroon. A wide, flaring mouth dominates the face, and three crouching figures form an openwork crown above it.

1. Form and Carving

The face is a broad, flat plane framed by a raised rim. Two eyes project as short cylinders, each ending in a ringed disc. A long nose ridge runs down to a heavy, arched nose with two open nostrils. Below it, the lower face widens into a deep, trumpet-shaped mouth that opens forward, lined with a row of large peg teeth. Pointed projections stand out at either side of the head.

Above the brow, three figures crouch side by side. Their long arms and legs bend down to the head and leave open spaces between them, so that the group forms a pierced crown. At the back, a dense woven fibre structure holds the mask on the wearer's head.

2. Use and Context

According to the collection catalogue, masks representing animals, both real and imaginary, are often found in the chiefdoms of the Cameroon Grassfields. The qualities of the animal shown, such as strength, cleverness and speed, were believed to pass to the wearer of the mask.

3. Surface

The wood has a dry, dark brown surface with lighter, reddish-brown areas on the face and in the hollows. The edges and the upper rim of the mouth are worn, and a long age crack runs through the lower lip. The woven backing is intact, with a few loose fibres at the side.

Summary

A large Bamun animal mask in which a flaring, toothed mouth and a crown of three crouching figures meet in one bold form.