SANIFU MASK high quality

The elephant mask is one of the most valuable objects from the Museum high quality collections and it reflects the recognizable Bamileke approach to the decoration and symbolical

enrichment of objects through Sacred, royal objects such as sculptures, thrones, staffs and batons were often carved in embroidery and on the elephant mask we notice that

this technique of painting decoration strictly follows the contours of the object it covers not deterring its structural form.

Black symbolically represents the connection between the living and the dead, white is the colour of the ancestors and different magical substances, red is the symbol of life,

women, as well as the institution of regal leadership. The dominant triangle design represents Elephant which is also a symbol of royal power. The main motif remains the

elephant that in its majestic appearance embodies the king, his authority and power. It was believed that the king could transform himself into an elephant or leopard, gaining

with this the competency and character of these animals.