Reliquary - Mahongwé / Kota / Bakota - Gabon

Gabon Kota Metal, wood Height: 420mm Width: 140mm Depth: 80mm Relic figure statue of the African Kota reliquary of Gabon in wood covered with brass plates Geographic and stylistic origin • Ethnicity: Mahongwé (or Mahongoué), a sub-group linked to the Kota cultural group. • Region: Primarily located in northeastern Gabon (notably in the Mekambo region) and in the Republic of the Congo. • Stylistic characteristic: Unlike traditional Kota reliquaries (often called Mbulu-ngulu) which display large smooth and flared copper or brass plates, the Mahongwé (Bwété) style is characterized by a concave face entirely covered with a dense winding of wires or thin brass/copper sheets fixed to a wooden core. The eyes are depicted as hemispheres or buttons, and the nose is often a simple relief in dihedral form, as clearly seen on the front of the piece. Ritual use and function • Ancestor worship (Bwété): This wooden piece coated with metal is not a statue in itself, but an anthropomorphic protective figure. The base, diamond-shaped or cylindrical, was designed to insert it directly into a basket or a bark reliquary (sometimes a leather bag) that contained the sacred bones (notably fragments of skulls) of prestigious clan ancestors. • Social and spiritual role: The reliquary acted as a guardian watching over the remains of the deceased to preserve prosperity, fertility, and the protection of the community against malevolent forces. • Handling: The baskets containing the bones and topped with these figures were kept out of ordinary view by initiates. They were taken out and consulted during major ceremonies, during times of crisis, or during initiations, moments during which the figures received libations and offerings to reactivate their spiritual power. The packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number. Delivery in 1 to 3 days in France by Chronopost, 2 to 5 days across the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide by Colissimo international. We speak english Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Estimate:£125.63

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