Ancestor figures - Fon - Togo

Two well-used ancestor figures, used on family-altars in the Fon community of Togo. The larger figure is also called a "Botchoi"-figure; a protective figure used to ward off evil spirits. This statue will be sprinkled occasionally with special liquids to enhance the power of this figure. This practice is visible on the figure, giving a nice light brown patina. Height.; 34 cm. The small figure , carved in a typical Fon-posture and eyes, comes from an altar where this figure is ritually sprinkled with liquids to make communication with the ancestors more strong. In the belly a small niche was carved to put some magical object or substance. Height.; 15 cm. Both items were collected in Togo in the late 1990,s.