Man's Ceremonial Garment

19th century

Not on view

The small round tufts of human hair embroidered on the ground fabric of this tunic are symbolic of the leopard. In this region of Africa, the leopard is the most revered animal of the natural world, embodying the qualities of leadership and power. Worn for masquerade, the potent symbolism of the tunic transforms the wearer by imparting the noble traits of the leopard.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

Exhibition History

References

Title: Man's Ceremonial Garment
Date: 19th century
Geography: Cameroon
Culture: Bamileke peoples
Medium: Sisal, human hair
Dimensions: L. (at CB) 40 15/16 x W. 34 1/4 in. (104 x 87 cm)
Classification: Textiles-Costumes
Credit Line: Purchase, Janet A. Sloane Gift Fund, 1994
Object Number: 1994.413.2
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

More Artwork

From the same culture

A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.

Helmet crest from a nja masquerade, Grassfields artists, Wood, copper, glass beads, raffia palm, cowrie shells, Bamum kingdom — Helmet crest from a nja masquerade
Grassfields artists
ca. 1800–80

Ashetu prestige cap, Grassfields artist, Cotton, other material (?), Cameroon — Ashetu prestige cap
Grassfields artist
early 20th century

Male tadep figure, Mambila artist, Raffia palm pith, pigment, Mambila peoples, Saa group — Male tadep figure
Mambila artist
early 20th century

Male and female kike figure pair, Mambila artist, Raffia palm pith, pigment, Mambila peoples, Mbamnga group — Male and female kike figure pair
Mambila artist
early 20th century

Male tadep(?) figure, Kaka artist, Wood, hair, mixed-media offering, Mambila peoples, Mbem group (?) — Male tadep(?) figure
Kaka artist
19th–mid-20th century

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.