The variety of reliquaries in the African art of the MbedeThe Mbete are known for their antropomorphic statues with a dorsal hollow as a reliquary participating in the worship of ancestors. These exceptionally well-preserved pieces are typical of african tribal art from the Mbete , Ambete . Their cylindrical abdomen contains a rectangular cavity on the back sealed by a door in which the bones of the lineage ancestors were preserved. Placed in the lower half of the head, under a broad triangular forehead, the face has a characteristic appearance, with cauris evoking narrow half-closed eyelids, a hollowed-out geometric mouth giving it a grimacing appearance. The hairstyle on which the braids are drawn is assembled in a summit crest. Attached to the bust, the arms are folded at a right angle on a trunk with a hooded patina. The muscular legs, half-flexed as if about to leap for the ritual dance, are velvety with an ochre-red bulb usually extracted from a crushed bark. The female figure is distinguished by a thick raphia loincloth. The Mbete form a people of neighbouring Gabon of the Obamba, whose history has been marked by a long-running conflict against the Tekes. They do not have a centralized political organization, practice the worship of ancestors and use statues instead of classical reliquary boxes.
2450.00 € Possibility of payment in 4x (4x 612.5 €) This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
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