Bamileke Ceremonial Royal Pipe, Based

Cheeks like these could only belong to a man who has just inhaled.

This ceremonial royal pipe is Bamileke, from Cameroon, Central Africa, made in the mid 20th century of terra cotta and mounted on a base. In the Cameroon Grassfields, large figurative pipes signaled rank, and kings and titled men used them on formal occasions. The bowl takes the form of a head with huge rounded cheeks, heavy-lidded eyes and finely stippled patterns. A tangle of small figures climbs over the back of the skull. A metal arm holds it at an angle. It measures 27.5 inches high on its stand.

Power has seldom looked so puffed up, or so pleased about it.