Pipe bowl

1930–31

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 344

Yuefainji observed his father, who trained under two generations of celebrated sculptor-kings. His versatile approach to medium, function, and scale attracted patrons from missionaries to monarchs. He preferred to carve animal horn and work in miniature, often while seated outdoors to maximize light. On the recommendation of Paul Gebauer, he was commissioned to carve an ivory tusk for Queen Elizabeth II’s 1956 visit to Nigeria. The work, which took Yuefainji two-and-a-half months to complete, was returned by the Queen to be used as a ceremonial staff at the Cameroonian House of Assembly.

Artwork Details

Overview

Provenance

References

Title: Pipe bowl
Artist: Tita Yuefainji (ca. 1892–1973, Babanki Tungo, Northwest region, Cameroon)
Date: 1930–31
Geography: Cameroon, Grassfields, Fumban
Culture: Bamum chiefdom
Medium: Terracotta, camwood powder
Dimensions: H. 7 1/2 × W. 4 3/4 × D. 2 1/16 in. (19.1 × 12.1 × 5.2 cm)
Classification: Ceramics-Implements
Credit Line: Fletcher Fund, 1972
Object Number: 1972.4.43
Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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