Description:

West Africa, Cameroon, Bamun peoples, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A pottery pipe in the form of a human head - a male, with a mustache and goatee/beard, bulging eyes, and two snakes encircling his head. These pipes are made to smoke tobacco, and the elaborately sculpted ones are reserved for men of high status. An anthropomorphic design like this one would have been reserved for very elite individuals. These pipes are so precious that those of deceased monarchs are kept in the royal treasury. This particular example has beautiful tiny mica inclusions in the pottery that gives it a sparkling appearance. Size: 2" W x 4.3" H (5.1 cm x 10.9 cm)

Provenance: Ex-New Jersey Collection

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#117456

  • Condition: Intact, with fine features/details

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October 27, 2016 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000