In the Cameroon Grasslands (north-west Cameroon), head crest masks in bird form, such as the present one, are worn on the head at dances and processions of the ‘Juju dance groups’ of the Bamileke people. They are attached to rings of plant fibres, and the dancers look out through a net beneath the rim of the bird-like crest. The Bamileke people regard flying birds as symbols of life and death. They symbolise a connection between heaven and earth, between the world of the living and the world of the ancestors.
The present, old ‘bird crest’ of the Bamileke people is made of light-coloured carved wood, was originally entirely dyed black, with wings and eyes accentuated in white. With a hemispheric body, a long neck, head, wings and tail. The left ‘ear’ is broken due to age. Slight colour abrasion to exposed areas and edges. Otherwise no damage. Very good, shiny usage patina, especially in the lower section, on the inside, where the dance crest frequently rubbed against the dancer’s head.
Height: 15 cm; length: 54 cm. First third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Private Collection of Prof. Dr. Rudolf Leopold, Vienna.

Lit.: ‘Africana’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. 154.