Bamileke Ashetu or Ceremonial Hat

Titled men and ceremonial moments. That was the guest list for a hat like this one.

The Bamileke of Cameroon knotted this ashetu in hemp in the 20th century. Rows of small knotted knobs, striped black and cream and some tipped in red, stud one side. Dark arcs and curving stripes flow over the natural fiber body, with a plainer cream panel at the front. Some fraying at the edges. Seventeen inches tall on its stand.

Strongly sculptural. The head underneath, presumably, had to be too.