 Elephant 1 35" high $500 |
 Elephant 1 Back $500 |
 Elephant 4 40" high $600 |
 Elephant 4 Back $600 |
Elephant 1 35" high $500 |
Elephant 1 Back $500 |
Elephant 4 40" high $600 |
Elephant 4 Back $600 |
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 Elephant 9 54" high $500 |
 Elephant 11 42" high $400 |
 Elephant 13 45" high $400 |
 Elephant 18 46" high $500 |
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 Elephant 19 44" high $400 |
BAMILEKE, BEADED ELEPHANT MASKS, Cameroon
Despite their appearance and fine work, these masks have not been vetted as authentic; they were probably made to be sold.
These masks, with beads carefully embroidered onto cloth take the form of an important royal icon, the elephant, with its long trunk and large ears. The patterns on the front and back panels suggest another royal icon, the leopard. The display of wearing these richly embellished masks and other regalia at court ceremonies was the best evidence of the wealth of a Bamileke kingdom.
Some of the masks have lost beads. The masks were photographed on a temporary stand; mounted permanently, the sagging ears can be braced up.Only No. 4 has basketry inside the top. On some, uneven lighting causes the top to be too light. The color is most accurate in the closeups and enlargements.
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