TERA Gallery - African Art and Antiquities

"Altering The Way You View The World Of Art"
Type of Object:
    Fon Chief Collar

    These Chief’s Neckrings with buffalo and human heads
    were originally part of the Fon's (king) personal regalia.
    Other title holders could also own them. These examples
    were probably made long after the forced abdication and
    death of King Njoya in 1933.

    The neckring is made by the Bamilele people of the Bagam
    kingdom in Cameroon.  It was cast in bronze using the lost
    wax process. The figures on the neckring are the Royal
    buffalo icon.

    A complex collar like this was restricted in wearing to royal
    elites and  would be worn by a Fon (ruler) on special
    occasions when it was necessary to make a full display of
    the insignia of their Royal office. Primary among these was
    the public installation of a new Fon.  The flat iron band with
    interlocking hook supporting 10 fine cast buffalo-heads,
    each attached individually with a loop on the reverse.

Ethnic Group:
    Bamilele Society

Country of Origin:  
    Cameroon

Material:   
    Bronze

Dimensions:
    12" diameter

Reference:                  
    Expressions of Cameroon Art , T. Northern, Castle Press,
    1986)

    Art of the Cameroon, by Tamara Northern.