Bamun Leather Ceremonial Headdress

Hair, hemp and leather, worked into a cap with opinions.

Bamun artisans of Cameroon, Central Africa, made this ceremonial headdress in the 20th century from hair, hemp and leather. Headdresses of this kind are often associated with court display and masquerade in the Cameroon Grassland. The crown is a tight, netted cap in dark grey-brown, topped by a small knob with a reddish patch of worn leather at the front. Four thick, rope-like tails hang from the sides, and two more curve up and over the crown.

About 20 inches tall, shown on a black steel stand. It makes a hat rack feel underqualified.