Lot No. 79


Bamileke, Bamum or Bamessing, Cameroon Grassfields: A large pipe bowl made of terracotta, depicting a king or chief.


Bamileke, Bamum or Bamessing, Cameroon Grassfields: A large pipe bowl made of terracotta, depicting a king or chief. - Tribal Art

In the small kingdoms and chiefdoms of the Grassfields, in northwestern Cameroon, prestige tobacco pipes with a pipe bowl made of terracotta or brass were a much-appreciated and very popular status symbol. They were mainly offered as presents on ceremonial occasions (and not so much actually smoked). The present, large and old pipe bowl made of grey, baked clay depicts a high-ranking person sitting on a sort of throne. The large cap with geometrical decorations also indicates the sitter’s high status: a chief or king. In the hole at the back of the pipe bowl is a round, connecting piece made of wood and carved in relief, where a thin pipe made of wood or metal is lodged (this pipe is missing). Overall a very beautiful, large and typical object of its kind. With good, old patina and minor age damage (some pieces broken on the cap, on the chin and on the right leg - partly glued). First third of the 20th century; H: 38 cm (in total), 20 cm (the pipe bowl alone). (ME)

Lit.: ‘Kamerun. Kunst der Könige’ by Lorenz Homberger, ill. 39, 46, 47, 101; ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, illustrations p. 287, 288.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at

05.11.2014 - 13:00

Estimate:
EUR 600.- to EUR 800.-

Bamileke, Bamum or Bamessing, Cameroon Grassfields: A large pipe bowl made of terracotta, depicting a king or chief.


In the small kingdoms and chiefdoms of the Grassfields, in northwestern Cameroon, prestige tobacco pipes with a pipe bowl made of terracotta or brass were a much-appreciated and very popular status symbol. They were mainly offered as presents on ceremonial occasions (and not so much actually smoked). The present, large and old pipe bowl made of grey, baked clay depicts a high-ranking person sitting on a sort of throne. The large cap with geometrical decorations also indicates the sitter’s high status: a chief or king. In the hole at the back of the pipe bowl is a round, connecting piece made of wood and carved in relief, where a thin pipe made of wood or metal is lodged (this pipe is missing). Overall a very beautiful, large and typical object of its kind. With good, old patina and minor age damage (some pieces broken on the cap, on the chin and on the right leg - partly glued). First third of the 20th century; H: 38 cm (in total), 20 cm (the pipe bowl alone). (ME)

Lit.: ‘Kamerun. Kunst der Könige’ by Lorenz Homberger, ill. 39, 46, 47, 101; ‘Erde und Erz’ by K.-F. Schädler, illustrations p. 287, 288.

Specialist: Erwin Melchardt Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465

erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at


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Auction: Tribal Art
Auction type: Saleroom auction
Date: 05.11.2014 - 13:00
Location: Vienna | Palais Dorotheum
Exhibition: 31.10. - 05.11.2014