headdress

headdress, circa 1950

Where object was made: Cameroon

Material/technique: possibly antelope skin; wood; weaving; plant fiber

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 28 x 12.5 x 11 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 11 1/2 x 4 15/16 x 4 5/16 in

Credit line: Gift of Larry W. Welling

Accession number: 2007.3099

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"For Life's Sake: Arts from Africa," Oct-1983, Reinhild Kauenhoven Janzen
The practice of covering a carved mask with skin is unique to the peoples of the Cross River area of Nigeria and the Cameroons. Skin, probably from a freshly killed antelope, is drawn taut over the carved wooden core. Teeth are fashioned from separately carved, inserted and painted pieces of wood, eyes are inlaid and painted and human hair is used to cover the head. This realistic head is then attached to a basketry base, which in turn is fastened to the top of the performer's head. This cap-crest-mask is worn with a gown which extends from the top of the dancer's head to his ankles. Such masks are owned by a special association and danced at celebrations and rituals such as initiations and funerals. They represent either benevolent, important community ancestors or fierce spirits.