Helmet Mask

Culture: Bagam artist
Date: early 20th century
Material: Wood, pigment
associated with: Ndop, Nord-Ouest province, Cameroon, Africa
Classification: Masks, wood
Collection: Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
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: Public Domain
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.

We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.