Ceremonial Drinking Horn

Unknown

early–mid-20th century · Horn, glass beads, fiber and cotton cloth · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

This exquisitely adorned vessel for imbibing palm wine was fashioned by Bamum court artists during the reign of Ibrahim Njoya (r. 1887–1931). Used for both drinking and pouring libations, the work has a delicate rim embellished with blue and white beading in a chevron, or "spear," pattern, indicating success in warfare. The horn, sourced from a powerful buffalo, has been intricately incised with a combination of local reptilian motifs and a floral design likely introduced through trade. The colorful flourish of a human head adorning its tip features a style of crown that was reserved for the fon (ruler) on ritual occasions. Such prized ndu were once so intimately associated with their royal owners that they were reputedly buried alongside them.

Artist

Unknown

Date

early–mid-20th century

Medium

Horn, glass beads, fiber and cotton cloth

Culture

Bamum kingdom

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979