Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6

Prestige and Tradition: The Mounted Ashetu Hat of the Bamum and Bamileke People

$2,200
£1,690.18
€1,942
CA$3,094.57
A$3,476.61
CHF 1,816.54
MX$42,433.69
NOK 23,064.70
SEK 21,710.56
DKK 14,491.90

About the Item

Adorned with spiked braids, this prestigious custom mounted Ashetu hat embodies the cultural significance of the Bamum and Bamileke people of Cameroon, Central Africa, who revered the human head as the vessel of one's spirit and intellect. In their tribal tradition, hats held paramount importance, denoting social status and occupation during ceremonies. Crafted meticulously from woven hemp fibers using the ancient 'knotless knitting' technique, the Ashetu epitomizes prestige, exclusively donned by esteemed men and elite dignitaries. Each crocheted burl, housing a small wooden peg, pays homage to traditional hairstyles of ranking officials, echoing through sculptural representations. With dimensions of 11.5" x 11.5" x 14.5"H, this emblem of honor communicates hierarchy through its size, shape, and materials, preserving the rich heritage of Cameroonian craftsmanship. 11.5" x 11.5" x 14.5"
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Width: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)Depth: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Hemp,Metal,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU1531239064252

More From This Seller

View All
Vintage Chinese Theatre Headdress
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Chinese theatre headdress: Measures: 8" x 7.5" x 13".
Category

20th Century Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage Tibetan Headdress
Located in New York, NY
Vintage tibetan headdress: Measures: 8" x 10" x H 23". Weighs 10 LBS.
Category

20th Century Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Antique Hand Embroidered Silk Miao Minority Tribe Child's Headdress
Located in New York, NY
Hand embroidered silk Miao Minority tribe child's headdress with beads and tassels from the early 20th century on a custom black painted metal mount.  
Category

Vintage 1920s Chinese Qing Mounted Objects

Materials

Metal

Mauritanian 'Tuareg' Mat or Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mauritanian Mat or Rug, a true testament to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of northern African culture. Handcrafted by the skilled Tuareg tribes from Mauritania, this Moroccan Mauritanian (Tuareg) leather mat is a stunning fusion of tradition and artistry. Meticulously woven using dwarf palm tree fibers and adorned with handwoven leather stripes, this rug showcases the intricate beauty that exemplifies the Tuareg tribes' distinct aesthetics. The captivating design of the Mauritanian Mat reflects the cultural identity of the Tuareg tribes, offering a glimpse into their ancient traditions and connection to the land. Each stitch and pattern carries with it a story, allowing you to embrace the spirit of this fascinating culture in your own space. Beyond its visual allure, this rug is built to last, crafted with meticulous attention to detail and utilizing high-quality materials. Its durability ensures that it can withstand the test of time, making it a versatile and long-lasting addition to your home or office. Large Mauritanian rug...
Category

20th Century Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Palmwood

Mauritanian 'Tuareg' Mat or Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mauritanian Mat or Rug, a true testament to the rich heritage and craftsmanship of northern African culture. Handcrafted by the skilled Tuareg tribes f...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary North African Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather

Mauritanian 'Tuareg' Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mauritanian rug. This Moroccan Mauritanian (Tuareg) leather mat is made of dwarf palm tree fibers and handwoven with leather stripes. The beautiful des...
Category

20th Century Moroccan and North African Rugs

Materials

Leather, Palmwood

You May Also Like

Mukuba 'Hat', Bwami Society, Lega Culture, Democratic Republic of Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mukuba (Hat), Bwami Society, Lega Culture, Democratic Republic of Congo 1st Half 20th Century Plant fiber, buttons, elephant tail hair, blue cloth 7...
Category

20th Century Congolese Other Tribal Art

Materials

Cotton, Natural Fiber

20th Century Vintage Bamileke Headdress Mounted on Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
Bamileke headdress, originating from the Bamileke ethnic group in Cameroon, is ceremonial and symbolic artifacts used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. It is crafted using natur...
Category

20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Fabric, Feathers

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Shell, Fabric

Tribal Raffia Hat from Africa
Located in Schellebelle, BE
Exceptional Tribal Art piece, an African ceremonial hat made out of hand-woven Raffia,the raffia has a nice warm and natural Brown color and has hand-painted African decorations and ...
Category

1990s Congolese Tribal Art

Materials

Raffia

Kuba Woman's Prestige Hat (Mpaan)
Located in London, GB
In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Early 20th Century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana 'Bambara' People, Mali
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Mounted Objects

Materials

Wood