...
Search option




Discover our exceptionnal items

African art - Reliquary:

In Africa, reliquaries are the guardians of buried ancestors. They may hold bones or the skulls of deceased dignitaries, chiefs or warriors, which are kept in sacred concessions. Reliquaries are also receptacles, often cylindrical wicker baskets, intended for the preservation of relics, a practice that is widespread in Central Africa among the Kota, Fang and Tsogho. Some reliquaries, such as the Ambete, are statues with a receptacle placed in the back.


To make searching easier, the items sold are hidden by default, if you wish to view them click HERE
Kota reliquary
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Kota reliquary

French Collection of African Art
The Kota reside in the eastern region of Gabon, rich in iron ore, as well as in parts of the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work and ritual weapons. The sculptures, serving as a "medium" between the living and the dead who protected descendants, were linked to the bwete rites, similar to those of the Fang. Sometimes, these sculptures are two-sided, called mbulu-viti, representing both the masculine and feminine aspects. This type of piece, known as ngulu, served as a "guardian" of the relics placed above the baskets containing the remains of ancestors of high lineage. During ceremonies reserved for initiates only, the major decisions of the clan were made, during which the reliquaries ...


View details

170.00

Kota sculpture
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Kota sculpture

African sculpture plated with copper sheets according to the Kota tradition, and forming a stylized image of the ancestor. It is also a coat of arms for the clan, and is generally distinguished by the shape of the headdress, which varies according to the regions. This version is distinguished by its extravagant appearance. Erosions.
The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were associated with the bwete rites, comparable to those of the Fang. They are sometimes two-sided, the mbulu-viti, symbolizing the ...


View details

280.00

Kota reliquary
African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Kota reliquary

French African art collection.
This African sculpture "mbulu-ngulu", plated with metal according to the Kota tradition, forms a stylized image of the ancestor, a coat of arms also for the clan, and is generally distinguished by the shape of the headdress, which varies according to the regions.
The Kota live in the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were associated with the bwete rites, comparable to those of the Fang . They topped the baskets containing the mortuary remains of the ancestors of high lineage. In the ...


View details

380.00

Kota Reliquary
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Kota Reliquary

Belgian African art collection
The baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, generally surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in the temples of the village. One of them embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants. Ancestor worship, the Bwete (Northern Kota) was at the heart of the social and religious life of the Kota and presents many analogies with that of the Fang. In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ceremonies during which the reliquaries were taken out and used. In order to reactivate the magic charge, the initiates rubbed the relic with sand. Among the Kota, these figures have reached an astonishing degree of stylization and abstraction: reduced to shoulders and "arms" surmounted by ...


View details

Make offer

280.00

Kota sculpture
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Kota sculpture

Belgian collection of African art
The baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, which were generally surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in village temples. One of them embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants. The ancestor cult, the Bwete (Northern Kota) was at the heart of the social and religious life of the Kota and presents many analogies with that of the Fang. In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ceremonies during which the reliquaries were taken out and used. In order to reactivate their magical charge, the initiates rubbed the relic with sand. Among the Kota, these figures have reached a stunning degree of stylization and abstraction, and could also be associated with the snake ...


View details

170.00

Kota Reliquary
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Kota Reliquary

French African art collection.
This African sculpture "mbulu-ngulu", plated with metal according to the kota tradition, forms a stylized image of the ancestor, a coat of arms also for the clan, and is generally distinguished by the shape of the headdress , variable depending on the region.
The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were associated with the rites at the bwete , comparable to those of the Fang . They surmounted the baskets containing the mortuary remains of the ancestors of high ...


View details

280.00

Fang Reliquary
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Fang Reliquary

br>Belonging to a Fang lineage, this receptacle with high cylindrical bark walls is now devoid of ancestor relics. The carefully detailed male figure symbolizes the latter. A second, noticeably different subject adorns the outer wall. Patina of use. Among the Fang of Cameroon and those of Gabon, each family has a "Byeri", or reliquary box, in which the bones of the ancestors are kept. These boxes were guarded by the oldest man in the village, the "esa". The reliquary boxes were surmounted by a statue or a head which acted as guardian of the "byeri" boxes. These, intended to deflect evil influences, were kept in the hut. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. During festivals, the statues could be separated from their boxes and ...


View details

Make offer

490.00

Fang reliquaries
African art > Reliquaries, statues > Fang reliquaries

The African art of the cult of Byeri is illustrated by various anthropomorphic sculptures acting as 'guardians' and embodying the ancestor. Ancient loom pulleys fang, adorned with statuettes of reliquary keepers. Beautiful satin patina, residue of abrased polychromy. Erosions of use.
The boxes containing the relics of illustrious ancestors were kept by the oldest man in the village, the esa. Surmounted by a statue or head that acted as the guardian of the 'byeri' boxes, they were stored in a dark corner of the box, supposed to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during the initiation ceremonies of young people linked to society. So, so. During the holidays, the statues were separated from their boxes and paraded. Pre-events were carried out on some statues ...


View details

590.00