Cameroon - Art of the Kings

The ancient kingdoms of the Cameroon Grassfields are famous for their splendid artwork – thrones, ornamented with precious European beads, wooden figures, sculptured by unknown masters, enormous drums, finely carved jewellery made from ivory and brass as well as fabulous masks.

This exhibition catalogue presents 150 impressive masterpieces from the courts of the Grassfield kingdoms. Historical photographs illustrate the magnificient life at the courts so enthusiastically described by the first European visitors in the outgoing 19th century. Additional field photographs taken in recent years show that the traditions in the Grassfields are still alive and cared for today.

Two leading scientists in the Field of Cameroonian Art – Christraud M. Geary and Hans-Joachim Koloss – give an excellent introduction to the fascinating and complex world of the Grassfield Kingdoms: Their rituals, their secret societies and – above all – the outstandig meaning of art in this context.