Drum Element: Head

Unknown

19th century · Wood · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

This sculptural fragment is one of a pair of nearly identical heads carved to adorn opposing ends of a monumental slit drum. Much like thrones, slit drums became emblems of royal authority. They were sounded only while the rulers who commissioned them lived. This work has been linked to the reign of King Foméné of Bansoa, whose court artists favored naturalism in sculpture. Dramatically elongated ears wrap expressively around the head, as if extending its powers of hearing.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th century

Medium

Wood

Culture

Bamileke peoples, Bansoa

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

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