Lot 116 D α

Cf. Kecskési, M., African Masterpieces and Selected Works from Munich: The Staatliches Museum für Völkerkunde, New York, 1987, p.207, figs.213-216 for similar posts acquired in Weh, Fungom area, Northwest Province. According to the author doorways of old Fungom buildings resemble those of the Bamileke but the thresholds were often higher and had a stone step. As in Bamileke doorways, the decoration was identical for right and left.
In the past, all dignitaries and well-to-do citizens had carved doorframes, but today this art, like the traditional architecture, is dying out. No new doorframes have been carved since about 1945.

For a similar pair of posts, photographed in situ, see Gebauer, P., Art of Cameroon, New York, 1979, p.68.