Palace pillar with male figures and leopard
This pillar featured within an intricate network of jambs, posts, and beams that once composed a Grassfields palace. It is carved with depictions of leopards, potent symbols of sovereignty throughout the Grassfields. There the fon (ruler) holds sole claim to the pelt of any leopard hunted within his domain. As palaces are made from woven bamboo and other vulnerable organic materials, they require regular renewal. During a 1933 renovation of royal complex at Kedjom Keku (Big Babanki), this and two other related works were acquired by German American missionary Paul Gebauer and his wife, Clara.
Artwork Details
- Title: Palace pillar with male figures and leopard
- Artist: Grassfields artist
- Date: Late 19th–early 20th century
- Geography: Cameroon, Western Grassfields, Big Babanki
- Culture: Babanki
- Medium: Wood, pigment
- Dimensions: H. 97 × W. 9 3/8 × D. 6 1/4 in. (246.4 × 23.8 × 15.9 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Architectural
- Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1972
- Object Number: 1972.4.29b
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Grassfields artist
Late 19th–early 20th century
Grassfields artist
19th century
Grassfields artist
19th–early 20th century
Grassfields artist
late 19th century
Grassfields artist
Late 19th–early 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.