A PRIVATE NEW YORK COLLECTION
A FINE NORTHERN CAMEROON BIRD MASK, serri

Details
A FINE NORTHERN CAMEROON BIRD MASK, serri

Of helmet form with domed body, the triangular tail decorated with incised chevrons and parallel lines, bent cylindrical neck with elongated beak, incised circular eyes, small split on the crown of the head, rich encrusted patina, 33¾in. (85.7cm.) long
Literature
Harter, P., 1986, p. 49

Lot Essay

Bird imagery is very important in Cameroonian art. Its is believed that birds link the two realms of the sky and the earth. While images of birds are found in puppet forms in the southern areas of Cameroon, wooden bird masks are found only in the northern regions and are rare compared to masks representing other animals such as elephants.