Collection Online as of March 21, 2023

Three Illustrious Fons and a Queen before the Old Foumban Palace

1961

Part of a set. See all set records

Ibrahim Njoya

(Bamum Kingdom (Cameroonian), c. 1887–1962)

Africa, Central Africa, Bamum Kingdom, Cameroon

Paper, ink, watercolor, carbon

Paper: 78.7 x 96.5 cm (31 x 38 in.)

Severance and Greta Millikin Trust 2022.47.a

Location

not on view

Fun Fact

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.

Inscriptions

Inscription

inscriptions below each likeness (French text: 11 Roi Mbombo / 15 Ngoungoure Chetfon/Precesse de Roi Mbombo Mere du Roi Nsangou / 16 Roi Nsangu / 17 Sultan Njoya Ibrahima; Bamum script, to be translated); signed and dated lower right in pen and black ink in French (Bamum script above): Dessinateur/Njoya IbrahimA/20-5-61.

Provenance

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

Citations

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)

Exhibition history

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).