Cameroon Shield Oblong - 32.3 Gardener Its chequerboard pattern of light

Its chequerboard pattern of light and dark is read differently depending on the viewer — a deliberate ambiguity between innocence and knowledge

Its simple yet striking design makes it a versatile addition to any room

women oversaw decorating the cloth

Paddling Downstream

Possibly the most recognizable form of indigo cloth from West Africa

Cameroon Shield Oblong - 32.3 Gardener Its chequerboard pattern of lightCameroon hand carved Bamileke shield Carved from a single piece of wood in an elongated oblong form, the surface cut with the bold geometric patterning historically used by Bamileke carvers designs once said to dazzle and disorient an opponent in battle. Originally part of tribal weaponry, shields like this carried real social and spiritual weight, marking status as much as defending against attack. As each is hand carved, size and pattern vary