Kings, chiefs and elder dignitaries in the kingdoms of the grasslands, in the northwest of Cameroon, possessed such ceremonial and prestige tobacco pipes. The present, very beautiful and old pipe has a pipe bowl in the form of an elephant head with long tusks. It is therefore probably a ‘king’s pipe’ (?). This is because, according to the scholarly literature, the ‘elephant was a symbol of the king and was preserved exclusively for him’ (Lorenz Homberger in ‘Kamerun. Kunst der Könige,’ p. 154). Made of yellow cast-alloy (brass), executed with ‘waste mould’ casting. At the front, on the upper rim of the pipe bowl, sits a bird with outspread wings. The rounded grip of the pipe consists of ivory, which displays an all-round web motif in openwork design. This web motif is very popular and meaningful in the art of the Cameroon grasslands (the spider lives in the earth and is therefore close to the ancestors). Ivory grip: 13 cm long. The actual smoking tube consists of rolled sheet iron. A beautiful, very old and typical object from grassland culture. With extensive usage patina. No damage. L: c. 40 cm (total). Between c. 1900 and the beginning of the 20th century. (ME) ASA

Provenance: According to information of the consignor, purchased in 1973 in Fumban, the capital city of the Bamum territory in Cameroon. Since then: Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.: ‘Kamerun. Kunst der Könige’ by Lorenz Homberger, Rietberg Museum Zurich, fig. 42.