93 - PAIR OF ANTHROPOMORPHIC FIGURES - Grasslands, Cameroon - Bamoum

PAIR OF ANTHROPOMORPHIC FIGURES - Grasslands, Cameroon - Bamoum Mid-20th century. Copper alloy (bronze or brass). Dimensions: 72 cm. A royal couple or a pair of dignitaries: the man holds a long, richly decorated scepter in his right hand, topped by a totemic bird. In his left hand, he holds an engraved offering cup. He also wears a broad pectoral plate with geometric motifs, and his abdomen is adorned with a wide, striated design featuring four leaves surrounding his navel. His headdress features triangular openings and motifs of plants and amphibians. This type of openwork fabric or beaded cap is reminiscent of the prestigious embroidered headdresses worn by the Sultan and high-ranking dignitaries during major ritual festivals. The woman has her hands raised toward her shoulders. A pot similar to the one held by the male figure rests at her feet. She also wears a broad pectoral plate with striated and semicircular motifs, and on her abdomen, a large four-lobed design surrounding her navel—a symbol of fertility. Her hairstyle consists of three broad, finely chiseled braids. The faces of both figures display the typical features of the region: large, bulging eyes, protruding ears, and wide-open mouths revealing their teeth. This pair is accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued on January 25, 1995, by the Royal Palace of Foumban in Cameroon (signed by the late Sultan-King of the Bamoun, El-Hadji Ibrahim Mbombo Njoya (1937–2021), confirming that the set originates directly from the royal court’s art workshops. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape – Art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 282