Description:

Bamoun clay vessel pipes, primarily originating from the Fumban region of the Cameroon Grasslands, are prestigious, often figural, smoking instruments historically used by royalty and high-ranking dignitaries. These pipes are recognised for their intricate artistry and cultural significance in the Bamoun / Bamum Kingdom.
Although pipes with anthropomorphic features were permitted to be used only by noblemen, such as members of the royal family, because the imagery represents leadership and reminds viewers of the kingdom’s social hierarchy, they were also presented as gifts and sold to delegates and institutions of the German empire.