Royal pipe
A pipe with a figurative bowl, described in the catalogue as a royal pipe. Includes its reference and original commentary.
PIP-25
Cameroon
← All objectsMasks, pipes and instruments catalogued under Cameroon. Explore the collection’s attributed cultures and documentary records, with original photographs and individual references.
Explore also: Bamileke · Bamun · Pipes
Context and documentation
Cameroon’s Grassfields chiefdoms share a history of contact and exchange. The Met documents how ndop cloths feature in their rulers’ displays of prestige.
Context source: The Metropolitan Museum of Art · Ndop (royal display cloth).
Excerpt from the historical catalogue · translation from Spanish · Jesús Arrimadas Saavedra · PIP-25
A long pipe of the kind normally used in prestige ceremonies. A long stem rises from its bowl, which represents a typical Bamun head. The bowl is decorated with tribal scarification marks.
Attributions and interpretations in historical texts are preserved as documentation from the original catalogue.
208 objects · page 1 of 9
Ngoin helmet mask
Identified as a Ngoin helmet mask and attributed to Bamun in the catalogue. Photographs and historical commentary.
MFANT-219
Royal horns
Instruments described in the catalogue as royal horns. Explore their photographs and Jesús Arrimadas’s text.
INM-14
Duster
The duster has the classic form of horn duster. It consists of two parts: The part destined to receive gunpowder has a…
ARM-4
Knife
Haussa knife from the Katsiki region in northern Cameroon. This knife serves both hunting as well as defense and some other common…
ARM-13
Batcham mask
Large mask belonging to the secret society Msop who intervenes during the king’s enthronement ceremony (Fo) This great mask Tsesah or Tsemabu…
MFG-1
Cantaro
Coming from the Cameroonian border with Nigeria this pitcher is several centuries old, probably from the centuries XIV a XVI Because of…
TRRC-1
Cantaro
These vessels are characterized by this anthropomorphic figure always with an open mouth. The large lips in the shape of duck beak…
TRRC-2
Divination vessel
Small offering vessel in which the character appears seated, contrary to the usual African posture in which the bearer of the offering…
MYA-1
Divination vessel
This small container is intended for divinatory practices. Inside, seed grains are introduced and the sick person or person who has requested…
MYA-2
Arpa Sanza
Music, or even better, rhythm, is something inherent in the African, as inseparable as the music of the word is. In fact…
INM-2
Stool with Cariatide
Given its former owner, a minister of one of Cameroon's first governments, everything suggests that this stool is from the end or…
TAB-1
Statue of Ancestor Tadep
Former statue with costrosa patina formed by libations and sacrificial offerings. It represents an ancestor, individual or family protector. The…
EMS-1
Statue of Ancestor Tadep
Statue from the Cameroonian border with Nigeria. The head shows a double heart figure, the usual ethnic figure formed by the eyebrows…
EMS-2
Statue of Ancestor Tadep
The usual thought is that these rough statues of the Mambila Although it is true, recent studies seem to show that they…
26
Statue of Ancestor Tadep
Polychrome statuette, red eyes, mouth and belly. The prominent belly with thick and protruding sculpted scarifications, white face and triangular…
EMS-3
Statue of Ancestor Tadep
Old statue with whitish due to an indigenous conservation treatment. Areas greatly damaged by age. It represents an ancestor, individual or…
EMS-4
Dog Head Mask
Curious stylization of this dog mask typically MambilaA pronounced jaw that keeps thinking about the crocodile's jaws. Jumping and cylindrical…
MFZ-1
Dog Head Mask
The dog mask, in its different varieties, is one of the most representative of the Mambila. This mask of light anthropomorphic features…
MFAZ-1
Dog Head Mask
Stylized dog mask in which the top of the face has been able to respect the heart shape of the typical face…
MFAZ-2
Hare Mask
Curious hare mask, which leaves the line of dog head masks, ovoid face on which stands out a raised Greek "Y" that…
MFZ-2
Yelmo mask
Only the small upper figure allows us to guess that this is the mambila mask. Authentic mask that has danced in ceremonies.…
MCYC-6
Hunter’s whistle
Hardwood flute or whistle, used especially by hunters bamum and bamillele From Fumbam, in the west of the Cameroon. The whistle was…
INM-3
Hunter’s whistle
The whistle is for the African hunter as important as his hunting weapons, his bow, spear, or old rustic shotgun made by…
INM-5
