Helmet Mask (agwe chaka)
- Artist Culture
- Widekum artist
- Date
- early 20th century
- Material
- Wood, hide, human hair
- associated with
- Northwest province, Western Africa and the Guinea Coast, Cameroon, Africa
- Classification
- Costume & clothing, masks
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 102
- Dimensions
- 16 9/16 x 9 7/16 in. (42.1 x 24 cm)
- Credit Line
- Museum Purchase
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 26:1942
NOTES
The fierce appearance of this mask is suitable for its intended association with the Nchibe society of hunters and warriors. Despite an attitude of aggression, the mask displays delicate sculptural modeling and is one of the finest examples of its type. The animal hide stretched and dried over the carved wood makes the mask almost lifelike, highlighting the cheekbones, brow, and raised facial scarifications. Prior to performance, the skin of this mask was rubbed with oil, causing the surface to glisten, while the eyes were highlighted with white clay. Masks such as this typically appeared in the context of funerals for important men.
Provenance
by 1941 - 1942
Frank Crowninshield (1872–1947), New York, NY, USA
1942 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction, "African Sculptures," McMillen, Inc., New York, October 16 - November 7, 194, lot no. 7 [1]
Notes:
The main source of this provenance is the exhibition catalogue, "A Selection of African Sculptures from the Frank Crowninshield Collection." The exhibition took place at McMillen, Inc. in New York from October 16 through November 7, 1941.
[1] An invoice dated April 27, 1942 from McMillen, Inc. to the City Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "Cameroon Head, ancestral portrait, extremely rare example" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 2, 1942.
Frank Crowninshield (1872–1947), New York, NY, USA
1942 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, purchased at auction, "African Sculptures," McMillen, Inc., New York, October 16 - November 7, 194, lot no. 7 [1]
Notes:
The main source of this provenance is the exhibition catalogue, "A Selection of African Sculptures from the Frank Crowninshield Collection." The exhibition took place at McMillen, Inc. in New York from October 16 through November 7, 1941.
[1] An invoice dated April 27, 1942 from McMillen, Inc. to the City Art Museum documents the purchase of this object, listed as "Cameroon Head, ancestral portrait, extremely rare example" [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Administrative Board of Control of the City Art Museum, April 2, 1942.