1991.54.1 Elephant mask (mbap mteng)

In West and Central Africa, the elephant is a potent image of political force and the accumulation of wealth by those in power. This is true for the art of the Cameroon Grasslands, the origin of this mask, which is elaborately decorated with imported glass beads and represents an elephant. Long panels with geometric forms hanging down the front and back represent the animal’s trunk, and the flat discs with starburst patterns are its ears. The mask can be worn with a headdress made of red tail feathers from the African gray parrot, a precious material usually reserved for the king. The Kuosi, members of a society that served as the king’s representatives, and at times the king, wore this mask and headdress as they performed the prestigious elephant dance during rituals, festivals, and funerals. Those wearing the costume were concealed under cloth garments trimmed with colobus monkey fur.

1991.54.2 Hat for elephant mask

1991: Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from Joel Cooner Fine Art, Dallas, Texas

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the copy of the invoice dated June 25, 1991, in the Collections Records object file (1991.54.1-2).

Members of the elephant society, wearing beaded elephant masks and feathered headdresses, pose for a French missionary photographer in the market place of Bandjoun, Cameroon, 1930.

188986597: UMO

Apply to objects where number equals 1991.54.1