Cameroon Woven Shield - 83.1 Lovers Seat a process known as petrification

a process known as petrification

All in primitive-looking shapes

textured leaves — a living sculpture

Among the Akan

Cameroon Woven Shield - 83.1 Lovers Seat a process known as petrificationHistorically used as a defensive weapon in wartime and displayed as a decorative symbol of status and wealth by the Tikar people in Cameroon. Each shield is carved from a single piece of Baobab wood a sacred wood used for medicinal and ritual purposes for centuries then wrapped in woven manila string in a pattern around a central marble bead. These decorative shields are one of a kind, collaboratively crafted by a large group of people, making each