BAMUM Beaded Throne Ensemble (190 cm — Kounden Earth-Taboo Royal Regalia)
A magnificent, 190 cm tall royal throne completely encased in vibrant, geometric glass beadwork and copper plating. It is flanked by two large wooden trumpets carved in the shape of elephant tusks and accompanied by a pair of beaded royal slippers.
1. Aesthetic Style and Multimedia Splendor
This throne from the Kounden Chiefdom is a dazzling masterpiece of Grassfields multimedia art. The underlying wooden structure is entirely subjugated by a brilliant, eye-catching mosaic of imported glass beads and sheets of hammered copper. As Hornek confirms, the intricate beadwork and the copper-plated elements in the lower section contribute significantly to the splendour of this prestige object. The integration of the wooden trumpets — carved to mimic the sweeping curve of ivory elephant tusks — adds towering, architectural majesty.
2. Ritual Function and the Untouchable King
This throne was strictly reserved for the most significant, rare occasions in the life of the chiefdom. It served as a total environment of power. Hornek confirms that the "tusk" trumpets recall ancient eras of Grassfields elephant hunting, framing the chief as the master of the wild. Most critically, Hornek explicitly documents that the wooden slippers derive from the tradition that the chief was absolutely forbidden from letting his bare feet touch the earth — a profound earth-taboo. The entire ensemble — throne, trumpets, and slippers — functioned to physically and spiritually elevate the ruler above the mortal plane.
3. Patina, Material Weathering, and Age Verification
The ensemble exhibits beautiful, varied aging. The glass beads show a natural, gentle fading from intermittent exposure to the sun during outdoor royal festivals. The hammered copper elements have developed a rich, dark verdigris. The wooden "tusk" trumpets display a smoothed handling patina, and the beaded slippers show compression and wear on the soles, perfectly verifying that the Kounden chief actively wore them to observe the sacred earth-taboo during his reign.
Summary
This beaded throne ensemble is a spectacular, radiant monument to Bamum divine kingship. The inclusion of the "tusk" trumpets and the taboo-enforcing slippers make it a complete, museum-quality tableau of Grassfields royal pageantry.
