ticketsMember | Make a donation

Crest (tsesah)

late 19th–early 20th century
Not on view
On loan to The Met
This work of art is currently on loan to the museum.
The creator of this work interpreted the neck as a narrow cylinder, defined the mouth as broadly as the cheeks, and intensified the compression of the protruding eyes, cheeks, and upper lip. The crest is distinctive for the graphic patterns incised on all of the vertical planes: the expansive forehead features fluid, wavy lines, the open mouth reveals a wide row of thin lines interspersed with large concentric circles, and the flared nostrils and ears are graphically articulated. Only the neck remains unadorned, defining the area that was likely partially covered by a cloth to conceal the identity of the wearer during performances.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Crest (tsesah)
  • Date: late 19th–early 20th century
  • Geography: Cameroon, Grassfields region
  • Culture: Bamileke peoples
  • Medium: Wood
  • Dimensions: H. 36 1/8 × W. 22 3/4 × D. 13 in. (91.8 × 57.8 × 33 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Menil Collection, Houston (1970-095 DJ)
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing