elephant helmet mask
elephant helmet mask
Culture
Bamileke people
Creation date
late 19th to early 20th century
Materials
cloth, fiber, glass beads
Dimensions
31 3/4 x 22 1/2 x 5 1/2 in.
Credit line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Accession number
1989.1570
Collection
Currently On View In
Eiteljorg Suite of African and Oceanic Art
Beaded cloth masks in elephant form are found among some Cameroon peoples. They are worn by a special men’s association, which is controlled by the royals and required to enforce the laws of the community. The mask appears at important funerals and special public events. The prominent circular ears and trunk-like panel refer to an elephant, while the triangles refer to leopard spots.
Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg, Indianapolis; IMA (January 18, 1990).
