A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Caroline and Marshall Mount Collection

The central African country of Cameroon is a land whose geographic and cultural diversity is equaled only by the wide variety of its dynamic art and artifacts. This catalogue presents, in fine color photographs and informative text, art from all parts of Cameroon, in all its manifestations. Included among more than 200 objects are: figurative and architectural sculpture; masks, costumes, hats and jewelry; pipes; vessels of varied materials; stools, chairs and beds; weapons and musical instruments; 20th Century historical paintings; and a model canoe. Particularly striking is the attention to utilitarian objects, as well as, to religious and ceremonial art. This challenges the reader to redefine traditional categories of art and to appreciate all aspects of this country's exuberant and vital artistic corpus. The catalogue includes, for example, a great variety of seldom seen Grassfields prestige hats splendid in their bright colors and rich materials. Notable's weapons and shields also display a harmonious use of color, materials, and design, embodying long and rich traditions. Finally, festival costumes abound in colors, symbols and materials such as gris-gris, porcupine quills, and human hair. The clarity of the color reproductions allows one to partake in the full excitement of these objects. The essay and captions explain the use of meaning of the art depicted in this catalogue. The essay further elucidates the relationships of gender roles and mythology to art, and describes how art illuminates the religious, cultural, and political systems of Cameroonians from the Grassfields to the peripheral areas. There are few publications with such a comprehensive presentation of Cameroon art. As the title suggests, this publication hopes to leave the reader with a lasting vision of "A Cameroon World".