Helmet Mask
- Artist Culture
- Bagam artist
- Date
- early 20th century
- Material
- Wood, pigment
- associated with
- Ndop, Nord-Ouest province, Western Africa and the Guinea Coast, Cameroon, Africa
- Classification
- Masks, wood
- Current Location
- On View, Gallery 102
- Dimensions
- 31 1/2 x 11 7/16 x 7 1/16 in. (80 x 29 x 18 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett
- Rights
- Contact Us
- Object Number
- 511:1979
NOTES
This buffalo mask, with a ridge running from head to nose and an elegant, tapered muzzle, is characteristic of carvings from the Grassfields area of western Cameroon. The buffalo is a potent image of virility, strength, courage, and power in western Africa, and this mask may have been used to dance at the funeral of a secret society member as a sign of respect and honor. In the kingdoms of western Cameroon, groups of masks can be owned by the fon (king), by some of the secret societies that assist him, or by historically important lineages.
Provenance
Alexander-Suggs Gallery, St. Louis, MO, USA [1]
- 1979
Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett, Dayton, OH
1979 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett [2]
Notes:
[1] A form signed by Dr. Gaston Bouquett on December 24, 1979 identifies this object was formerly owned by Alexander-Suggs Gallery of St. Louis [SLAM document files].
[2] A letter dated December 11, 1979 from Helene Arnott of the Saint Louis Art Museum to Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett acknowledges the gift of this object [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, December 19, 1979.
- 1979
Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett, Dayton, OH
1979 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett [2]
Notes:
[1] A form signed by Dr. Gaston Bouquett on December 24, 1979 identifies this object was formerly owned by Alexander-Suggs Gallery of St. Louis [SLAM document files].
[2] A letter dated December 11, 1979 from Helene Arnott of the Saint Louis Art Museum to Dr. and Mrs. Gaston Bouquett acknowledges the gift of this object [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, December 19, 1979.