African Arts Gallery

Reliquary sculpture assembling three faces whose pupils are encrusted with copper. Ritual removals were frequent from sculptures of this type. The top bears crusty residues of ritual anointings. Abraded patina of use, erosions, desiccation cracks.
Height on base: 30 cm.
Among the Fang of Cameroon and 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 were kept in a dark corner of the hut, and were intended to divert evil influences to someone else. They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young people linked to the "So" society. During the festivals, the statues were separated from their boxes and carried in parade, held by the posterior peduncle. (Source: "Fang", Perrois)