Lot: 290

99th Auction

Braided shield "kor"

Cameroon, Mambila

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
American Private Collection H: 49.2 inch;
B: 41.9 inch
2500 EUR
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance

palm fibres, wood, sheet metal, with traditional patterns and tribal symbols

These shields were once used for warfare when, around the late 19th century, the Fulani raided the Mambila Plateau in search of slaves

As early as the 19th century, they were collected by German and English administrators, travellers and missionaries, traded with other groups or taken as war trophies by neighbours.

They are still used today in the "nggwun" dances, which are closely associated with the investiture of chiefs. The dance is performed when the chief restates his oath of office and swears not to abuse his position.


Barbier, Jean Paul & Purissima Benitez-Johannot, Shields, Munich, London, New York 2000, p. 40 f.