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Between and Mortarboard

UMMA Object Specific Fields




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10 Items in this Learning Collection
Feather Hat
This cap is made from woven fiber with dark purple, dark green, and brown feathers. The feathers face upward and outward, forming a dome-like shape to the cap. Around the bottom edge there is a row of feathers that are longer than those at the middle of the cap. Near the top and center of the cap are long feathers that stick straight up. 
Collection Object
Titleholder's hat
Dome-shaped cap with two elongated flaps symmetrically opposed on each side of the cap. There is a circular pattern on the top of the hat and the sides are decorated with geometric patterns resembling chevrons.
Collection Object
Prestige Cap
This knitted or crocheted hat in a tall, cylindrical shape has concentric circles and checkerboard patterns decorating the top. The body of the hat is made of small open circles and short rod-like projections. 
Collection Object
Titleholder's hat
A dome-shaped cap with alternating patterns of straight and wavy linear designs. Between the wavy linear designs are spaces allowing one to see through the cap. The bottom of the cap contains four symettrically positioned flaps. 
Collection Object
Royal Hat
A cone-shaped headdress with a cylindrical finial rising from its top. Three long flaps hang from three projections located near the top of the finial. The green field of the main body and finial is embroidered with cowrie shells arranged in a four-pointed rosette pattern. Cowries also appear on the round flat top of the finial where they radiate around a circle of alternating red and white beads. Cowries form a fringe around the lower border of the cap and are accompanied by brass bells along the edges of the flaps. The headdress is bordered at its lower edge and at the top and bottom of the finial with a checkerboard pattern in red and white beads between thin rows of alternating green and white beads. Five double rows of white beads form a chevron pattern on the wheat-colored field of the flaps.
Collection Object
Hunter's Bird Decoy Headdress
Carved wood headdress in the form of a bird's head and neck. The beak is open and the head is covered with leather, some of which is red. There is also string wrapped around the head of the bird. The crest above the beak is covered with red seeds, possibly abrus seeds. The long, curved neck is attached to a flat disc, through which leather straps have been inserted. The strap at the bottom of the neck is also attached to the back of the bird's head as well. 
Collection Object
Hat
This red, felt, miter-shaped hat with lateral flaps terminates in gold-colored tassels. An internal wood frame sewn in to the central spine of the hat keeps its peaked shape. Two figures are delicately embroidered with yellow thread, one on each side of the hat. The figure on its left resembles a lizard with a small round head and long tail. The figure on the right is human and appears to be wearing a costume. A narrow strip of green fabric covers the external, central spine or seam of the hat. The hat's interior is green.
Collection Object
Chief's hat
Thisi is a miter-shaped hat with a double layer of fabric made from whorls of light-colored cotton applique on dark green velveteen ground. The sides of the hat terminate in red tassels. The front edge of the hat is trimmed with red fabric.
Collection Object
Beaded Hat
This is a beaded hat with a large, disc-shaped top. The bottom of the hat is a narrow band with blue and white beads in a triangular design. The edge of the top of the hat is bound with red fabric. The top of the hat is decorated in various geometric patterns with white, yellow, pink, green, and blue beads. 
Collection Object
Headband

Collection Object

Copyright
All Rights Reserved ()

Beaded Hat

Accession Number
1997/1.344

Title
Beaded Hat

Artist(s)
Bamileke

Artist Nationality
Bamileke

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
cloth, string, and beads

Dimensions
5 1/8 in x 20 7/8 in (13 cm x 53 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Dr. James and Vivian Curtis

Subject matter
The Kuosi society, previously for warriors, is open to titled men and those who can afford to purchase entry. Member dance at funerals, state occasions, and society meetings. The elephant masks danced by members are called mbap nteng, mbap mteng or tukum, while the society and masks are called aka by western Bamileke peoples. While the elephant no longer inhabits the Grassfields region of Cameroon, it is still a powerful symbol of the king. Elephant masks, with human facial features, large ears, and a long trunk have been called “things of money”, as the beads and cowrie shells used to decorate the masks were used as currency prior to German colonization. Many of the patterns found on the masks are geometric. Some prominently feature isosceles triangles, which have been interpreted as leopard spots. The leopard, like the elephant, is associated with royal power and authority. Caps or crests are often worn with mbap nteng, including circular feather headdresses and beaded disc-shaped caps, like this object. This type of cap is thought to be worn by the highest ranking member of the Kuosi society.

References:
Homberger, L. 2008. Cameroon: Art and Kings. Zürich: Museum Rietberg.
Northern, Tamara. 1984. The Art of Cameroon. Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Institution.
Page, Donna. 2007. A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Caroline and Marshall Mount Collection. New York: QCC Art Gallery Press.
Pemberton, John III. 2008. African Beaded Art: Power and Adornment. Northampton, Mass.: Smith College Museum of Art.

Physical Description
This is a beaded hat with a large, disc-shaped top. The bottom of the hat is a narrow band with blue and white beads in a triangular design. The edge of the top of the hat is bound with red fabric. The top of the hat is decorated in various geometric patterns with white, yellow, pink, green, and blue beads. 

Primary Object Classification
Costume and Costume Accessories

Primary Object Type
mask

Collection Area
African

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form. Keywords
Elephantidae (family)
beadwork (visual works)
masquerades
power
prestige
royalty (nobility)
social status
symbols of office or status
warriors
wealth

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