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Headdress

A work made of raffia and porcupine quills.

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  • A work made of raffia and porcupine quills.

Date:

20th century

Artist:

Bamileke
Cameroon
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

Among the various Bamileke kingdoms in the Grassfields region, porcupine quills are reserved for the king’s use. As part of a ceremonial hat like this example, the quills express the ruler’s sacred role. The king can apply his special powers and qualities, including the ability to capture and control animals and other natural elements, in order to protect himself and his people against external threats and to offer them support.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Bamileke

Title

Headdress

Place

Cameroon (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1901–1999

Medium

Raffia and porcupine quills

Dimensions

71.1 × 71.1 cm (28 × 28 in.)

Credit Line

Gift of Donald Young and Shirley Weese Young

Reference Number

2015.310

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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