Reliquary Kota - Bakota - Gabon

Origin. Gabon
Tribe name. Bakota
Material. Wood, copper
Dimension. 35 cm
Mode of shipment. Colissimo within 24-48h open.

This sculpture is a reliquary figure typical of the Kota people from Gabon, traditionally called mbulu ngulu. These objects were designed to be fixed to baskets containing the remains of ancestors.

Global form: The figure presents a stylized, geometric structure composed of two distinct parts: a large head surmounting a body in the shape of a hollow diamond (symbolizing the body of the ancestor).
Materials: It is made of carved wood, covered with sheets and bands of metal (probably copper and brass), a traditional technique aimed at giving the object a sacred and protective shine.
Face details
Face shape: The face is concave, a classic feature of Kota styles, which gives it a dynamic appearance under different light sources.
Facial elements:
The eyes are represented by protruding metal discs.
The nose is stylized, extending vertically at the center of the face.
There is a small, discreet mouth beneath the nose.
Ornaments: The sides of the head are adorned with lateral excrescences, reminiscent of ceremonial hairstyles or adornments. Strips of metal cross the face, highlighting the features and adding a complex decorative dimension.
Neck and base
The neck: It is represented by a long cylindrical section, completely covered with spirals of metal wire, creating a grooved texture that contrasts with the upper part.
The body: The base is formed by a rigid, symmetrical diamond, which traditionally served as the “foot” to insert the sculpture into the reliquary basket.
These figures were not realistic individual representations, but spiritual symbols charged with protecting the relics and ensuring the link between the living and the clan’s ancestors.