Fang reliquary head - Gabon
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 220 - € 250
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Tête de reliquaire Fang from Gabon, a wooden Fang ritual head dating to the late 20th century, 32 cm high, in good condition, sold with its stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Origin: Gabon
Tribe name: Fang
Material: Wood
Dimension: 32 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h open
This decorative image represents a Fang reliquary head, an emblematic piece of traditional Central African art (mainly Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and southern Cameroon).
These heads or statuettes are not mere portraits. They are part of the Byeri cult, an ancestral rite dedicated to the ancestors.
Guardian function: The head was fixed on top of a bark-cloth chest containing the bones of the illustrious ancestors of the lineage. Its role was to watch over the reliquaries and to deny access to non-initiates (women and children).
Link with the afterlife: It served as a point of contact between the world of the living and that of the dead.
The Fang style is renowned for its balance between tension and serenity.
The Forehead and the Hairstyle: A high, domed forehead, very characteristic. The coiffure here is stylized with incised and gilded (or metal-applied) motifs forming geometric lines in a "V" shape, evoking traditional braids or fiber wigs.
The Face: The eyes are often represented by brass or copper discs (as here), giving a fixed and intense, almost hypnotic gaze.
The mouth is often projected forward, with a pout or expression of concentration, which reinforces the authoritative aspect of the piece.
The Neck: The long cylindrical neck served as a handle to fix the head to the lid of the reliquary basket.
Fang art rests on a fascinating duality: the head combines infant-like features (large forehead, round face) and adult/ancestor traits (wisdom, sometimes suggested beard, authority). This fusion symbolizes the cycle of life and the power of the lineage that persists.
Visible technical details on the image
Material: Dense wood, probably carved from a local timber, with metallic inlays on the forehead and eyes.
Condition: A cord is visible on the side and a ring at the base of the neck, which could be ritual additions or mounting elements.
Origin: Gabon
Tribe name: Fang
Material: Wood
Dimension: 32 cm
Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h open
This decorative image represents a Fang reliquary head, an emblematic piece of traditional Central African art (mainly Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and southern Cameroon).
These heads or statuettes are not mere portraits. They are part of the Byeri cult, an ancestral rite dedicated to the ancestors.
Guardian function: The head was fixed on top of a bark-cloth chest containing the bones of the illustrious ancestors of the lineage. Its role was to watch over the reliquaries and to deny access to non-initiates (women and children).
Link with the afterlife: It served as a point of contact between the world of the living and that of the dead.
The Fang style is renowned for its balance between tension and serenity.
The Forehead and the Hairstyle: A high, domed forehead, very characteristic. The coiffure here is stylized with incised and gilded (or metal-applied) motifs forming geometric lines in a "V" shape, evoking traditional braids or fiber wigs.
The Face: The eyes are often represented by brass or copper discs (as here), giving a fixed and intense, almost hypnotic gaze.
The mouth is often projected forward, with a pout or expression of concentration, which reinforces the authoritative aspect of the piece.
The Neck: The long cylindrical neck served as a handle to fix the head to the lid of the reliquary basket.
Fang art rests on a fascinating duality: the head combines infant-like features (large forehead, round face) and adult/ancestor traits (wisdom, sometimes suggested beard, authority). This fusion symbolizes the cycle of life and the power of the lineage that persists.
Visible technical details on the image
Material: Dense wood, probably carved from a local timber, with metallic inlays on the forehead and eyes.
Condition: A cord is visible on the side and a ring at the base of the neck, which could be ritual additions or mounting elements.
Details
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Gabon
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Fang reliquary head
Height
32 cm
Sold by
