Trophy calabash
Artist Unidentified
19th century, 1850–1900
Object PlaceCameroon
Medium/TechniqueGourd, cloth, human jaw bones with teeth, vines or plant fiber
DimensionsOverall: 42.5 x 27 cm (16 3/4 x 10 5/8 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2716
On View
Not on viewClassificationsSculpture
Collections
The Bamum kings regularly conducted wars and military campaigns during the dry season. This constant expansion increased the wealth and influence of the kingdom. This calabash, a gourd adorned with the jaws of slain enemies, would have been paraded in celebration of the victorious return of the conquering heroes.
Inscriptionson neck in black marker: "BM10"; on neck in black marker: "F2"Provenance1982, sold by Galerie Majestic, Paris, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
mid to late 20th century
20th century
8th century A.D.