Pair of large Bangwa beaded statues, Cameroon The... Lot 21

Pair of large Bangwa beaded statues, Cameroon The reputation of Bangwa art in African art stems above all from their statuary, the major works of which are commemorative sculptures of kings, queens, princesses and titled servants, as well as the parents of twins. These beaded statues hold stoppered gourds filled with palm oil, which were served at festivities. These beaded gourds were considered prestigious items throughout Cameroon's Grasland region. The Bangwa form a small kingdom within the large Bamileke tribe in western Cameroon. The influence of the Bamileke can be seen in Bangwa statuary, in which the same type of facial features and morphology can be found, although beads are not used. The body position is classical, with the upper and lower limbs bent. Typical of Bamileke country, Bangwa statues often represent fertility, but also power and fighting spirit. They are often placed on either side of enthronement chairs at notables' meetings. Litt. Bamum" C.M. Geary - Ed. 5Continents. height : 120 cm