A cast brass object from the Mantoum Chiefdom in the Sultanate of Foumban, Cameroon. The chiefdom lies at the edge of the Bamum area, next to the Tikar.

1. Origin and Attribution

The Mantoum Chiefdom borders the Tikar to the east, and the Tikar are known for their outstanding brass casting. The collection catalogue therefore considers whether the casters were Tikar or Bamum. It notes that this is hard to decide, but that the expressive faces, the lively sweep of the figures and the detailed, lifelike rendering of body ornaments and tribal attributes point more to a Tikar caster.

2. Character of the Group

The catalogue characterises the brass objects of this group by extremely expressive faces, dynamic posture and highly detailed facial and body ornament. It classifies them as cult objects that show the wealth and power of the chief, and adds that with brass objects it is very often a matter of outwardly displayed prestige.

Summary

A brass cult piece from the Mantoum Chiefdom, made in a Bamum-Tikar border setting and associated with the prestige of the chief.