10” Vintage Bamileke Royal Caryatid Bowl Bearer Figure – Cameroon

$295.00

Shop a rare vintage Bamileke royal caryatid bowl bearer sculpture from Cameroon. Large hand-carved wood throne figure featuring an ancestral head base. Buy now!

Description

Introduce an absolute monument of West/Central African royal prestige history to your gallery with this vintage hand-carved wood caryatid bowl bearer sculpture, masterfully crafted from a single continuous block by the artisans of the Bamileke kingdoms in Cameroon.
Historically reserved for the exclusive use of the king (Fon) and high-ranking court authorities, these caryatid structures serve as physical declarations of dynastic power. The sculpture portrays a seated royal titleholder holding a deep ceremonial offering vessel ringed completely with high-relief mini-masks representing the protective ancestral council.
The entire unit is brilliantly stacked, showing the figure seated directly upon a massive stylized ancestral head base—a powerful cosmological symbol of leadership resting securely upon generational wisdom. Detailed with an elaborate prestige cap and a heavy, grooved royal torque necklace, this dense hardwood masterpiece features a rich mahogany-toned patina. Displaying stable historic age fissures on the container rim, this piece is an extraordinary cornerstone acquisition for advanced collections.
Product Specifications:
  • Culture: Bamileke Peoples
  • Country of Origin: Cameroon Grassfields, Central Africa
  • Estimated Age: Mid-20th Century (Circa 1950s–1970s)
  • Material: Heavy Indigenous Hardwood, Organic Semi-Gloss Stains
  • Condition: Excellent vintage condition. The wood showcases a gorgeous hand-rubbed patina with soft natural wear along the contact edges. Features a stable, historic hairline fissure on the front lip of the upper bowl consistent with wood oxidation and genuine age. Stands completely independently.

Shipping & Care Instructions

Due to the age, size, and delicate nature of this 10-inch artifact’s mixed-media elements (including fragile organic fibers, leather, and horn attachments), this piece will be professionally packed. It is double-boxed and surrounded by custom cushioning to ensure absolute safety during transit. Full insurance and tracking are included with shipment.

Care & Preservation Guidelines

To preserve the beautiful, authentic vintage patina and structural integrity of this mid-century Bamileke piece, please observe the following care instructions:

  • Display Location: Keep the sculpture out of direct, intense sunlight to prevent the aged hardwood from fading or developing deeper stress fractures.
  • Climate Control: Place the statue away from direct paths of heating vents, air conditioners, or humidifiers. Drastic shifts in humidity can dry out or distort vintage organic cords and leather attachments.
  • Cleaning: Do not apply any chemical cleaners, liquid polishes, or water to the surface. To clean, simply use a soft, entirely dry microfiber cloth or a delicate brush to gently clear away dust from the wood crevices and mixed-media ornaments.

Additional information

Weight 3 lbs
Dimensions 10 × 5 × 5 in
Region

Culture

Lobi People

Origin

Burkina Faso, West Africa

Estimated Period

Mid-20th Century (Circa 1950s–1970s)

Material

Carved Hardwood, Animal Horn, Glass Trade Beads, Leather, Fiber Cord

Height

24 inches (61 cm)

Condition

Excellent vintage condition. Wood shows beautiful natural aging and minor stable cracks consistent with genuine ritual use. All mixed-media attachments are structurally intact.

10” Vintage Bamileke Royal Caryatid Bowl Bearer Figure – Cameroon

$295.00