eBay

ANTIQUE BAMILEKE CAMEROON BRASS HIP FACE MASK SNAKES EATING FROG TRIBAL AFRICAN BAMUN N'KANG

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A very rare & detailed Cameroonian Bamileke hip face mask. Depicting a tribal man's face with 2 striking snakes biting/eating a central frog & 2 larger snakes facing outward with their mouths open & forked tongues on show.
I think this is made from solid brass, cast using a lost wax technique but due to the feel & colouration to the back of the mask it may be bronze (see pics).
There is a loop to the top of the mask, this is where the mask would be attached to a belt.
I believe this dates from the early 19th century but could possibly be earlier so will have to leave that to any potential buyer to decide on as I am not an expert in African art but from my limited knowledge would say these have some age to them.
In very good condition with only some minor age-related wear commensurate with age. Weighs 644g unpacked.

Measures approx: 17cm Length (inc loop) ~ 17cm Width at widest ~ 4cm Depth

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POSTAGE INFORMATION & SALES TERMS

All items will be posted within 1 working day once payment has been received.
I always retain proof of postage, put a sales invoice within the parcel & add my return address externally.
Collection is available on all my items from DH7 7NF, Durham. Item/s to be collected within 7 days of auction end at a mutually convenient time to be arranged prior to collection.
For items with a value of £50+ a Recorded/Signed For method of postage is used, this also applies to International sales.

DELIVERY ADDRESSES; Items will ONLY be posted to Ebay/Paypal registered home addresses.
If you require delivery to an alternate address please add this address to your Ebay/Paypal account & use it during checkout/payment.

UK BUYERS; Postage will be by myHermes courier service or Royal Mail 2nd Class. Larger/heavier items may be sent by Parcelforce OR an alternative courier.
If you require a quicker method of postage (e.g 1st Class/Special Delivery) please contact me for a quote if a price is not already listed.
Courier deliveries have different prices for specific areas (postcode areas IM, HS, ZE, Scottish Highlands ) & myHermes don't deliver to specific areas (postcode areas JE, GY, PO Boxes, Restricted parking access, BFPO address) so an alternative postage service would have to be used which would incur additional charges. All additional postage charges are to be paid by the buyer, I will inform the buyer of any additional costs & then invoice through Paypal for funds.

INTERNATIONAL BUYERS; I post worldwide using Royal Mail Airmail Small Packets, this is not a tracked/signed for service. Items being posted internationally have size & 2kg weight restriction so if multiple items are purchased they may have to be sent in multiple parcels. International couriers can be used for single items that weigh over 2kg packed up, if you require a quote please contact me.
I ONLY accept payment via Paypal for international purchases.
Import duties, taxes and charges are not included in the item price or P&P charges, these charges are the buyer's responsibility.
Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs may be prior to bidding/buying.
I will not mis-declare the value of an item or mark them as 'gifts' on the customs declaration label - International government regulations prohibit such behaviour.

PAYMENT; All purchases are to be paid for within 7 days of auction end. If you would like to delay payment please contact me for approval as an unpaid item case will be automatically started if payment is not received after 7 days. I accept payment by cash, cheque, postal order or Paypal. Payments by cheque will have to be deposited & cleared in my account before the item will be posted so this will cause a delay in receiving your order.
Cheques/Postal orders are to be made payable to Gillian Adamson.