Fang Ntumu statue - Gabon

Origin. Gabon
Tribe name. Fang
Material. Wood, copper
Dimension. 54 cm
Shipping mode. Colissimo within 24-48h open.

This Fang Ntumu decorative statuette is a remarkable example of Central African ritual art, more precisely from the northern Gabon region or the southern Cameroon region. These reliquary figures, called eyema byeri, served as guardians for the bones of the ancestors.
Here is a detailed description of its stylistic and material characteristics:
Morphology and Composition
The Head: It is voluminous and wears a central crest hairstyle adorned with brass studs, typical of the Ntumu sub-style. The forehead is high and clear, surmounting a prognathous chin.
The Gaze: The eyes are represented by metal discs (brass), giving the statue a fixed, vigilant gaze, appropriate to its function as guardian of the reliquary.
The Body: The silhouette is cylindrical and muscular, with arms drawn back toward the chest holding a small vessel or ritual object in front of the breasts. The shoulders are broad and rounded, while the navel is prominent, symbolizing lineage and the continuity of life.
The Posture: The statue is depicted in a seated or crouching position, with powerful, short legs, ready for action.

Metal ornamentation: The use of brass studs on the headdress, around the neck, on the held object, and at the waist emphasizes the figure's importance and prestige. The metal also served to ward off malevolent influences.