Buffalo mask, Bamileke, Camroun, Buem region, Western Provin - Lot 12

Buffalo mask, Bamileke, Camroun, Buem region, Western Province Hardwood with dark patina Height: 53 cm Provenance : Lot 136, sale Pierre Harter Collection, François de Ricqles, June 21, 1995 French private collection ---- Buffalo mask, Bamileke, Camroun, Buem Region, Western Province Hard wood with dark patina Height: 53 cm Provenances: Pierre Harter Collection French private collection The Grasslands region is the cradle of an important production of large zoomorphic masks. worn for masquerades and belonging to various secret societies. One of the one of the most represented animals is the buffalo, whose qualities of courage, power and strength strength permeate every royal figure. If the masks with their long, curved horns are the most easily identifiable in the corpus, some figures present more hybrid characteristics, as shown by our object. The composition unfolds around a central rib in high relief, emphasizing the dynamic volumes stylized naturalism. On either side of this axis, the face features almond-shaped eyes obliquely sculpted almond-shaped eyes, framed by small, pointed ears. The protruding muzzle is flanked prominent, dilated nostrils, surmounting a wide-open mouth with exposed teeth. teeth. The bulbous horns, marked by deep striations, could evoke the traditional prestige hairstyle ndam tcheu ndop, accentuating the royal character of this mask. of this mask. The overall effect is enhanced by a black patina, typical of this type of mask. Pierre Harter indicates that it results from a "plant decoction combined with the slash-and-burn method". Pierre Harter, a French doctor with a passion for African art, developed a close relationship with Cameroon. Cameroon from 1952, when he made his first trip to West Africa as a medical student. as a medical student. It wasn't until 1957, however, that he really got to know the the Bamiléké population in the west of the country. There, he cared for several families suffering from leprosy and malaria. malaria, and received gifts from local chiefs as a sign of gratitude. These included a large sculpted pole from the Banka kingdom marks the beginning of his collection. His stay in Cameroon led him to specialize in tropical diseases, in particular leprosy, as evidenced by his leprosy, as attested by his account published in 1968. Beyond his medical practice, Pierre Harter also became a committed ethnographer. He spent over 30 years in Cameroon, expanding his research into the arts of the Grassland region. He carried out numerous field studies, becoming involved in the lives of local populations by being admitted to secret societies and taking part in their initiation ceremonies. Thanks to his regular travels until 1985, he documented his observations in depth through photographs and objects, enriching his collection and his knowledge. ___ Grasslands region is home to a large production of large masks zoomorphs, worn on the occasion of masquerades and belonging to different secret societies. One of the most represented animals is the buffalo, whose qualities such as courage, power and the force permeates by essence every royal figure. If the long curved-horned are the most easily identifiable within the corpus, some figures present more hybrid characteristics, as shown by our object. The composition flourishes around a central rib in high-relief, highlighting the dynamism of volumes marked by a stylized naturalism. On both sides of this axis, the face presents in almond carved obliquely, framed by small pointed ears. The protruding snout is flanked by prominent dilated nasolabies, surmounting the mouth largely open on teeth visible. The bulbous horns, marked with deep streaks, could traditional prestige formed by two chignons, the ndam tcheu ndop, accentuating the royal character of this mask. The set is enhanced with a black patina characteristic of this type of mask, including Pierre Harter indicates that it results from a "vegetable decoction associated with the method of burning". Pierre Harter, a French doctor passionate about African art, develops a deep relationship with the Cameroon from 1952, when he made his first trip to West Africa as medical student. It was not until 1957, however, that he became truly acquainted with the Bamiléké population in the west of the country. There, he will treat several families Malaria, and will receive, as a token of gratitude, objects donated by local chiefs. Among these gifts, a large carved pole from the Banka kingdom will mark the beginning of his collection. His stay at Cameroon leads it to specialize in tropical diseases, including leprosy, such as Attested by notes, pub