BAMILÉKÉ, Cameroon, 20th century. - Lot 363

BAMILÉKÉ, Cameroon, 20th century. A set of three dance hoods decorated with stylized faces featuring bold contours, with eyes, noses, and mouths in high relief; some have beaded teeth, while others have half-closed expressions. The surface is entirely covered with a polychrome beadwork design arranged in geometric patterns, alternating between diamonds, chevrons, and stylized floral motifs, punctuated by dotted lines. The contours of the face and the large circular ears are highlighted by a fabric headband, emphasizing the frontal orientation and visual presence of the piece as a whole. Fabric, multicolored beads, signs of wear. Height: 96 to 132 cm. Used during ceremonial dances, this hood is part of the vast corpus of Bamileke masquerades associated with prestige, authority, and symbolic powers. The richness of the beaded decoration underscores the patron’s status, while the presence of saurians—animals associated with regeneration and protection—reinforces the apotropaic aspect of the ensemble.