Superb head of the reliquary. - Fang - Gabon (No reserve price)

00
days
06
hours
32
minutes
36
seconds
Current bid
€ 24
No reserve price
Julien Gauthier
Expert
Selected by Julien Gauthier

With almost a decade of experience bridging science, museum curation, and traditional blacksmithing, Julien has developed a unique expertise in historical arms, armour, and African art.

Estimate  € 120 - € 180
27 other people are watching this object
deBidder 3718 €24
nlBidder 6723 €17
deBidder 3718 €12

Catawiki Buyer Protection

Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details

Trustpilot 4.4 | 122385 reviews

Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.

Superbe Byeri Angokh Nlo Fang reliquary head from Gabon, provenance Fang culture.

AI-assisted summary

Description from the seller

Reliquary head Byeri Angokh Nlo Fang
Art and Worship of Ancestors within the Fang Tradition
Magnificent Fang-origin African head, from a well-known ethnic group in Gabon. The Fang African artistic corpus is especially famous for its renowned figures (standing statues or heads), known as byeri, which are reliquaries intended to watch over the bones of ancestors.

In most regions occupied by the Fang, the byeri are full-body statues. However, there are some areas where the byeri are limited to a head mounted on a long neck, as is the case here. Whether heads or statues, the byeri were placed on top of bark reliquary containers holding the bones, protecting them from theft or sacrilege.

They regularly dedicated offerings and sacrifices to these pieces in order to activate their protective power.

The Fang byeri heads are specifically called Angokh Nlo. They are distinguished by their hairstyles, which are attributable to specific regions. Here, we observe a particular feature that is sometimes found: brass eyes.

Reliquary head Byeri Angokh Nlo Fang
Art and Worship of Ancestors within the Fang Tradition
Magnificent Fang-origin African head, from a well-known ethnic group in Gabon. The Fang African artistic corpus is especially famous for its renowned figures (standing statues or heads), known as byeri, which are reliquaries intended to watch over the bones of ancestors.

In most regions occupied by the Fang, the byeri are full-body statues. However, there are some areas where the byeri are limited to a head mounted on a long neck, as is the case here. Whether heads or statues, the byeri were placed on top of bark reliquary containers holding the bones, protecting them from theft or sacrilege.

They regularly dedicated offerings and sacrifices to these pieces in order to activate their protective power.

The Fang byeri heads are specifically called Angokh Nlo. They are distinguished by their hairstyles, which are attributable to specific regions. Here, we observe a particular feature that is sometimes found: brass eyes.

Details

Indigenous object name
Superb head of the reliquary.
No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Fang
Country of Origin
Gabon
Period
2000-2010
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Height
33 cm
Width
13 cm
Depth
11 cm
Sold by
FranceVerified
4756
Objects sold
97.76%
Private

Similar objects

For you in

African & Tribal Art