Although this mask is not an authentic, ritual mask, never having been used in ceremonial dances it does follow the tribal traditional styling of the Bamileke people of Cameroon. The presence of an animal - which we are unable to identify - indicates the reverence the people of the community in which the mask could have been used have for that animal. It would very likely have been instrumental in ensuring the survival of one or more of the villagers in that community.

17″ (43 cm)