Reliquary Kota - Gabon

Origin. Gabon
Tribe name. Bakota
Material. Wood
Dimension. 60 cm
Shipping mode. Colissimo within 24-48h, open

reliquary figure of Kota type (originating from Gabon). These objects, traditionally called mbulu-ngulu, were designed to protect and watch over the bones of ancestors kept in baskets or containers.

Stylized structure: The piece presents the classic silhouette of Kota figures, characterized by an extreme simplification of human forms. It consists of a prominent head, a cylindrical neck, and a body reduced to an openwork diamond-shaped form (often representing a stylized body or the support on which the piece was affixed).
The head and headdress: The most distinctive element is the monumental crescent-shaped headdress that surmounts the face. The face itself is concave, typical of many Kota stylistic variants, with minimalist features: almond-shaped eyes, a straight nose, and a drawn mouth.

Base: The object is presented on a modern black pedestal, which stabilizes its vertical structure for display.
In summary, this is a tribal art piece with strong symbolic value, where the sobriety of the wood emphasizes the graphic and ritual power of the form.