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Julien Gauthier

The Fang peoples derive a sense of continuity with their past as well as a communal cohesiveness in the present through an ancestral cult known as bieri. Bieri reliquary figures, such as this 19th century example, embody the qualities that the Fang admire most in people—namely, tranquility, vitality, and the ability to hold opposites in balance. Such wooden figures and heads are placed on top of bark containers that hold the precious relics of important clan ancestors. The carved head or figure mounted on top of the reliquary box guards the sacred contents against the forbidden gaze of women and uninitiated boys. Before being removed from Africa, such works were invariably separated from the relic containers that they originally enhanced.

Provenance:
Paco Diaz Collection, Madrid

1900-1910 - Metal, Wood - Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Fang figure - Figure - Guinea

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

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Closing date

Wednesday

1 March

Thursday

Saturday

today

Tuesday

Friday

tomorrow

Budget

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Location

France

Belgium

Germany

Spain

The Netherlands

Austria

Italy

Luxembourg

Portugal

Switzerland

Denmark

Finland

Japan

Romania

United States

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Dance mask

Mask

Sculpture

Painting

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Book

Fetish figure

Tribal textiles and clothing

Statue

Shield

Ancestor figure

Figurine

Carving

Musical instrument

Tribal books manuscripts and catalogues

Vessel

Cane

Headrest

Tribal weaponry and shields

Tribal furniture

Pendant

Country of origin

DR Congo

Nigeria

Côte d'Ivoire

Mali

Côte d’Ivoire

Congo

Gabon

Cameroon

Burkina Faso

Benin

Ghana

Africa

Togo

Tanzania

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Ethiopia

Chad

South Africa

Angola

Liberia

Sierra Leone

Haiti

Madagascar

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Glass

Metal

Stone

Copper

Iron (wrought)

Aluminium

Bone

Brass

Shell

Leather

Textiles

Cotton

Iron

Steel

Iron (cast/wrought)

Canvas

Horn

Silk

Paper

Patinated bronze

Coral

Glass (beads)

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Fair condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Excellent condition

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Needs restoration

Good condition, see description

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

As new

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Very good

Overall in good condition with traces of ageing and usage

Brand New

Ungraded

Fair

In very good condition

Mixed / Multiple

As new - unused

Fair condition - used with visible signs of wear

Vintage - used with visible signs of wear

Reasonable

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Extras

No extra's

In replacement packaging

Signed by author

Dust jacket

Tipped in plates

Period

Mid 20th century

Late 20th century

2000-2010

1930-1940

Early 20th century

1920-1930

1940-1950

1960-1970

1990-2000

1970-1980

1950-1960

1980-1990

1900-1910

2010-2020

1910-1920

2020+

Late 19th century

Early 19th century

Mid 19th century

1850-1900

1400-1450

1650-1700

21st century

1450-1500

1500-1550

Subject

Portrait

Regional interest

Reference

Tribal art and culture

Anthropology

Applied art

Illustrated

Topography

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Pop Culture

African & Tribal Art

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Fang figure - Figure - Guinea

Popular in African & Tribal Art

1135 objects

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