Large Pipe Scabbard, Bamoun, Cameroon - Lot 51

Large Pipe Scabbard, Bamoun, Cameroon Brown terracotta, wear marks A thermoluminescence test by the Ralf Kotalla laboratory dates this work to 90 years ago. Height: 31 cm - Length 14 cm Provenance: French private collection --- Great Pipe Sheath, Bamoun, Cameroon Brown terracotta, marks of uses A thermoluminescence test by the Ralf Kotalla laboratory dates this work to 90 years ago. Height: 31 cm - length 14 cm Provenance: French private collection The care and realism brought to the composition, as well as the size and complexity of this pipe bowl, testify to the expertise conferred on these ceremonial utensils in Bamoun society. These clay pipes consisted of a bowl decorated with animal or geometric motifs, attached by a joint to a tubular pipe, to which a wooden or metal mouthpiece was fixed. Our furnace features a realistic, stylized representation of a crocodile or alligator carved in slight relief. The zoomorphic character is expressed by the wide-open mouth and powerful teeth. Particular emphasis is placed on the treatment of the animal's scale-covered body, whose variety and texture are particularly well mastered, blending delicate dotted patterns, flat irregular shapes and small protuberances in relief. The largest examples, not intended for smoking, were symbols of royal prestige. Other, smaller models were lit by an eternal fire kept in the palace sanctuary, alongside the relics and regalia of the royal ancestors. The care and realism applied to the composition, as well as the size and complexity of this pipe bowl, testify to the craftsmanship attributed to these ceremonial utensils in Bamoun society. These terracotta pipes consisted of a bowl adorned with animal or geometric designs, attached by a joint to a tubular pipe, on which a mouthpiece made of wood or metal was fixed. Our bowl features the realistic and stylized representation of a crocodile or alligator sculpted in slight relief. The zoomorphic character is expressed through the animal's mouth, widely open, showing powerful teeth. Special attention is given to the treatment of the animal's body, covered in scales, with a variety and texture particularly well-mastered, combining delicate dotted patterns, flat and irregular shapes, as well as small raised protuberances. The largest examples, not intended for smoking, served as symbols of royal prestige. Smaller models, lit using an eternal flame kept in the palace sanctuary near the relics and regalia of royal ancestors, were used for ceremonial purposes. Used condition, with a few small dents to the mouth and rear right hand side. --- Condition of use and some small shortcomings in the mouth and the rear right patina.