Large masks like these can be found in the southern Cameroon grasslands. They are sometimes regarded as the "mothers" of a masked group, appearing gracefully on the sidelines of a masked ensemble performance. According to other reports, they were not part of a fancy dress, but were carried in front of the king on important occasions. The power and dignity of these masks is expressed in their monumentality. The openwork carved lizards of the headpiece visually balance out the enormous, inflated cheeks. The soft, large forms of the headpiece, forehead and cheeks contrast with the burr-like, sharp forms of the nose and open mouth / P.J.