BAMILEKE (East Bangwa) Cameroon Probably a representation... Lot 28

BAMILEKE (East Bangwa) Cameroon Probably a representation of a Fon, a traditional king, this important male STATUS with powerful sculpture could have been used under the name of lekat by members of the Kun'gam society for protection rituals. Note the presence of reliquary holes in the belly, thighs, right arm and two others in the back. The round head has two protruding ears in cups, a half-opened mouth reveals the teeth. The arms are folded under the breasts. The medium-heavy eroded wood shows a long use that can go back to the 19th century. To be compared with the hermaphrodite statue published on page 297 of Pierre Harter's "Arts anciens du Cameroun" and the Lekat statue on page 237 which represents the same reliquary holes. Exhibited in Arles in 1991 "The Art of Black Africa in the collections of artists" reproduced in the catalogue under the number 82 page 91. Top. : 93 cm