African Arts Gallery

Recurring within Tikar decorative art, figures with salient features, slender and arched limbs adorn this vase. Concentric and parallel patterns adorn the surface. Black patina with golden reflections. Abrasions.
The identity of the collector will be transmitted upon acquisition.
Located in the border region of Nigeria, the North West province of Cameroon, the Grassland is made up of several ethnic groups: Tikar, Anyang, Widekum, Chamba, Bamoun and Bamileke. The chiefs of the Cameroonian Grasslands, the Fon, reputed to hold treasures of works of art, including bracelets, necklaces, statues, bells, valued the founders and sculptors in the service of the kingdom. These productions, without which the chief would lose his prestige, aimed to magnify the role of the fon. The ...

Relatively rare figure, whose stylized features are drawn in low relief on the oblique plane of the face, and whose reduced limbs bend in a semicircle around the concave bust propelling the umbilicus. Herringbone patterns line the face and bust. Grainy patina with ocher inlays.
The Tikar people inhabit the western part of central Cameroon, which is located within the dense secondary forest of medium altitude, along the Mbam. Within this ecotone, the "tikar plain" (which takes its name from its occupants) constitutes a depression which leans respectively to the west and north to the Mbam massif (and its tributaries Mapé and Kim) and to the first foothills of the Adamaoua plateau. The structure of the kingdom is made up of a large chiefdom subdivided into quarters: the residences of ...

Ex-French African art collection.
The Tikars populate the western part of central Cameroon, which lies within the dense secondary forest of medium altitude, along the Mbam. Within this ecotone, the "plaine tikar" (named after its current occupants) is a depression that leans west and north respectively to the Mbam massif (and its Mapé and Kim tributaries) and the first foothills of the Plateau de Adamaoua. It extends to the east and south on a long drainage area of the main rivers of the central part of the country (Djerem, Sanaga, Benue). Ethnically, the current boundaries of the tikar country coincide with those of the Bamun in the west (Foumban), mambila in the northwest, Foulbé in the south, Babouté to the southeast (Yoko) and small individual groups (Djenti, etc.) scattered ...

Attesting to the social origin of its owner, the African chair is a piece of furniture designed to enhance its prestige. It is therefore often decorated in its middle part with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures in relation to the founding myths and beliefs of the ethnic group. The specimen presented is formed of a ring on which five graceful caryatid figures, perched on heads, support with their arms raised a circular seat. The tray is engraved with regular concentric motifs and broken lines, and drawings of cauris, symbols of wealth. The characters with the filiform body have a voluminous head typical of Cameroonian statuary.
The Tikars populate the western part of central Cameroon, which lies within the dense secondary forest of medium altitude, along the Mbam. Within this ...

An unusual structure, evoking a compression of volumes, for this African tikar statue: the large flattened head surmounts a stocky body supported by large digitized feet. The character's fingers come to rest above a protruding navel on the spherical bust. The legs are in a dance position, bent, as if ready to jump.
Dark brown patina crusted with ochre.
Slight cracks. Abrasions.
The Tikar people inhabit the western part of central Cameroon, which is located within the dense secondary forest of medium altitude, along the Mbam. Within this ecotone, the "tikar plain" (which takes its name from its occupants) constitutes a depression which leans respectively to the west and north to the Mbam massif (and its tributaries Mapé and Kim) and to the first foothills of the ...

French African art collection.
Small, almost supernatural figure offering a spherical head, globular abdomen and graceful limbs. It probably illustrates the Fon , chief of the clan . The figure is topped with a bird. Misses and cracks under the buttocks.
The Tikar inhabit the western part of central Cameroon, which is located within the dense secondary forest of medium altitude, bordering the Mbam. Within this ecotone, the "Tikar plain" (which takes its name from its occupants) constitutes a depression that backs onto the west and north respectively of the Mbam massif (and its Mapé and Kim tributaries) and the first foothills of the Adamaoua plateau. The structure of the kingdom consists of a large chiefdom subdivided into quarters: the residences of the queens, the ...

The leaders of the Cameroonian Grasslands, the Fon , reputed to hold treasures of works of art, including bracelets, necklaces, statues, bells, valued the founders and sculptors in the service of the kingdom. These productions, without which the conductor lost his prestige, aimed to magnify the role of the fon. The technique used was the cast with lost wax, the decorations varying according to the status of the recipient to whom the king wished to award a reward. The Bamoun sometimes bought works from the Tikars, who were also gifted in metalwork. From 1920, the founders no longer used exclusively for the court. Located in the border region of Nigeria, the northwestern province of Cameroon, Grassland is made up of several ethnic groups: Tikar, Anyang, Widekum, Chamba, Bamoun and Bamileke. ...

This heavy bell engraved with abundant decorative motifs illustrates Tikar art. A sphere forms the handle of the rectangular-shaped resonant case with looped edges. The gong is still present. Concentric patterns, spirals and lozenges alternate on the surface. Patine with bronze reflections.
The chiefs of the Cameroonian Grasslands, the Fon , reputed to hold treasures of works of art, including bracelets, necklaces, statues, bells, valued the founders and sculptors in the service of the kingdom. These productions, without which the conductor lost his prestige, were intended to magnify the role of the fon. The technique used was the cast with lost wax, the decorations vary according to the status of the recipient to whom the king wished to grant a reward. The Bamouns sometimes bought ...

Attesting to the social origin of the owner, the African chair is an object intended to enhance its prestige. It is therefore often decorated in its middle part with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic figures in relation to the founding myths and beliefs of the ethnic group. The copy presented consists of a work with a ring on which five long-form caryatid figures, perched on heads, support with their raised arms a circular seat. This upper part is engraved with regular concentric patterns and broken lines. The characters with the filiform body present a voluminous head typical of Cameroonian statuary.
The Tikars inhabit the western part of central Cameroon which lies within the medium-altitude secondary dense forest along the Mbam. Within this ecotone, the 'tikar plaine' (which takes ...

Ex private French collection of African art.

This tikar throne is an exceptional piece composed of a multitude of small cariatid characters with different looks, accoutrements and ornaments.
Among other things, the king is found with his court composed of dignitaries.
Set in the central place of the upper rank, it is surrounded by musicians and women.
The seat, back restand and armrests are decorated with geometric patterns.

The Tikar set sain set in the western part of central Cameroon, which lies within the middle-altitude secondary dense forest along the Mbam River. Within this ecotone, the "plaine tikar" (named after its current occupants) is a depression that leans west and north respectively to the Mbam massif (and its Mapé and Kim ...

The mastery of bronze in African art.

This is a typical representation of a maternal figure according to the canons of Tikar art.
Sitting on a royal stool, she holds two children on her lap. Of high lineage, it is richly adepped with jewels, necklaces and bracelets around the neck and wrists.
The headdress is very elaborate and many ritual scarifications cover her belly. The stool's seat is highly worked and rests on a five-character caryatid base.

The tribes that live in the Grasslands, northwest of Cameroon, are part of the Tikar peoples, divided into several independent kingdoms in the Bafut kingdom. The structure of the kingdom consists of a large chiefdom subdivided into quarters: the residences of queens, children and notables.

Exceptional Tikar Throne.The Tikar are Pygmy people which are found in West Cameroon. They are a well mixed new population because traditionally conquering. They submit to the traditional chiefdoms' system inserted within broader historical kingdoms. Their settlement has been testified on the Cameroonese ground since the XIXe century.

Exceptional Tikar Throne.The Tikar are Pygmy people which are found in West Cameroon. They are a well mixed new population because traditionally conquering. They submit to the traditional chiefdoms' system inserted within broader historical kingdoms. Their settlement has been testified on the Cameroonese ground since the XIXe century.

Exceptional Tikar Throne.The Tikar are Pygmy people which are found in West Cameroon. They are a well mixed new population because traditionally conquering. They submit to the traditional chiefdoms' system inserted within broader historical kingdoms. Their settlement has been testified on the Cameroonese ground since the XIXe century.

Magnificent lost-wax casting object, representing  a Tikar maternity. Sit on a regal stool, she holds a child and is about to feed him. Of high lineage, she is adorned with jewels, earrings, necklaces and anklets. The coiffure is well elaborated and many ritual scarifications cover her body.  The highly toothed mouth is hypertrophied, eyes are stretched down. An unique finely worked object.