Smoking is a habit that designated status in the grasslands cultures of Cameroon. Pipes for women were covered with geometric motifs, while men’s pipes featured figural motifs. Pipe bowls often were embellished to be in the form of a male head, as seen in this example. Women sculpted the pipes out of clay, and their size was an indicator of the prestige of the smoker.
Ceramic
4 1/2 x 4 3/4 in. (11.4 x 12.1 cm)
Diam.: 1 in.
Gift of Dr. Oliver E. and Pamela F. Cobb
84.232
Photo: Scott Leen
Not currently on view
Seattle Art Museum respectfully acknowledges that we are on Indigenous land, the traditional territories of the Coast Salish people. We honor our ongoing connection to these communities past, present, and future.
