Cameroonian, Western Grassfields area, Oku style, possibly late 19th/20th century, carved in the form of smiling faces with elaborately braided fiber and/or hair beards and coiffures, one with traces of red pigment, one with old wax covering to fiber/hair elements, patinated surfaces, larger 18-1/2 x 12-1/2 x 7 in. - Provenance: Property from a Private Collection Sold to Benefit The University of Georgia Foundation
Condition
surface dirt layer and accretion, scattered surface scratches, cracks, and chips throughout, some fraying and losses to fiber/hair elements; example with wax layer with large chip verso, crack and separation with possible reinforcement at "jaw" area verso (old nail present)