African Tribal Art Heirloom Collection
Nov 4, 2020
USA
 1243 Pond Street, Franklin. MA 02038
The auction has ended

LOT 6:

Troh Helmet Mask, Bangua People, Cameroon

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Sold for: $1,000
Start price:
$ 1,000
Estimated price:
$8,000 - $12,000
Auction house commission: 35%
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Troh Helmet Mask, Bangua People, Cameroon
African Tribal Art: Night Society (Troh) Helmet Mask Helmet Mask, Bangua People, Cameroon. Carved wood heavily patinated with remnants of encrustation from storage and use. Late 19th/Early 20th Century.

Among the Bangwa kingdoms, the central fwa (chief) and a number of secret societies are responsible for the social rule of each kingdom. One such society is the Night Society (Troh) of nine council members, believed to be the descendants of the original nine companions of the founding Bangwa fwa.

The Troh society is responsible for the selection and enthronement of the next chief and must pass on secret knowledge to him.

Each member of Troh owns a wooden helmet mask or headdress, inherited from his predecessor. They possess supernatural powers and ancestral knowledge to which only members of the Troh may gain access.

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