The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Three Illustrious Fons and a Queen before the Old Foumban Palace

Three Illustrious Fons and a Queen before the Old Foumban Palace

1961
(Bamum Kingdom (Cameroonian), c. 1887–1962)
Africa, Central Africa, Bamum Kingdom, Cameroon
Paper, ink, watercolor, carbon; wooden frame carved by the artist
Paper: 78.7 x 96.5 cm (31 x 38 in.)
Severance and Greta Millikin Trust 2022.47
Location: not on view

Did You Know?

The artist Ibrahim Njoya based the portrait of Sultan Ibrahim Njoya (at right) on a photograph.

Description

This drawing depicts Sultan Njoya and his ancestors in front of the old Bamum Kingdom palace: King Mbombo “the Giant” (r. 1757–1814); Queen Ngoungore (r. 1863); King Nsa’ngu (r. 1863–1889); and Sultan Njoya (r. 1889–1913). Each past ruler wears or holds elaborate regalia, such as staffs, necklaces, headpieces, and fly whisks. Sultan Njoya (at right) wears a turban and a large embroidered tunic, reflecting his conversion to Islam.
  • 1961
    Marshall Mount, purchased from the artist in Cameroon
    2018–2022
    Christopher Mount, United States, by inheritance.
    2022
    (Amyas Naegele Gallery, New York, NY, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    2022–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Page, Donna. A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Caroline and Marshall Mount Collection. Bayside, NY: QCC Art Gallery, City University of New York, 2007. p. 30, p. 91 (plate 44)
  • A Cameroon World: Art and Artifacts from the Caroline and Marshall Mount Collection. Queensborough Community College Art Gallery, Oakland Gardens, NY (October 2007 - February 2008).
  • {{cite web|title=Three Illustrious Fons and a Queen before the Old Foumban Palace|url=false|author=Ibrahim Njoya|year=1961|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2022.47