Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)

On view

African Art

Mbap mteng (elephant mask),

early 20th century

Artist unrecorded
possibly Bamileke
2014-41

Elephant masks are ceremonial artifacts exclusively worn by the fon, or Bamileke king, and his royal retinue during specific events. The zoomorphic characteristics of the masks are reinforced by royal insignia in the form of repeated irregular beaded isosceles triangles, believed to represent the “spots of the leopard.” During traditional ceremonies, the power attributes of the elephant and leopard are transmitted through the mask to its wearer. This process is achieved in synergy with ceremonial music, dances, and weapons.

Murielle Sandra Tiako Djomatchoua, PhD candidate, Department of French and Italian, Princeton University

Comparative image: Frank Christol, Members of the elephant society pose for a French missionary photographer in the marketplace of Bandjoun, ca. 1928. National Museum of African Art, Washington, DC

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More About This Object

Magazine: Fall 2016

Information

Title
Mbap mteng (elephant mask)
Dates

early 20th century

Maker
Artist unrecorded
Medium
Cotton, glass beads, raffia, and dye
Dimensions
87.6 x 22.9 x 38.1 cm (34 1/2 x 9 x 15 in.)
Credit Line
Museum purchase, Fowler McCormick, Class of 1921, Fund
Object Number
2014-41
Place Made

Africa, Cameroon, West or Northwest Province

Culture
African, Bamileke
Type
ceremonial objects, beadwork, masks (costume)
Materials
cloth, fiber, dye, cotton (textile), beads, raffia, cotton (fiber), glass
Techniques
weaving, dyeing, sewing, beading (process)
Subject
royalty, dancers, masquerades, rituals (events), societies, elephants, rank

[Michael Oliver, New York, NY]; [purchased by Allan Stone (1932-2006), New York, NY]; [Sotheby's, New York: Collection of Allan Stone, Volume Two, May 16, 2014, Lot 41]; purchased via the above sale by the Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, NJ, May 16, 2014.

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The Museum regularly researches its objects and their collecting histories, updating its records to reflect new information. We also strive to catalogue works of art using language that is consistent with how people, subjects, artists, and cultures describe themselves. As this effort is ongoing, the Museum’s records may be incomplete or contain terms that are no longer acceptable. We welcome your feedback, questions, and additional information that you feel may be useful to us. Email us at collectionsinfo@princeton.edu.

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