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African Gabon Kota Mahongwe Hongwe Bwete Reliquary Guardian Figure Sculpture
$3,250
£2,454.62
€2,835.47
CA$4,578.79
A$4,903.88
CHF 2,636.29
MX$59,560.52
NOK 33,310.85
SEK 30,498.56
DKK 21,186.11
About the Item
A truly fantastic, engaging, and uniquely made African Kota Mahongwe Hongwe Reliquary Guardian Figure/ Sculpture made by the Kota (Bakota) peoples who inhabit the northeastern region of Gabon. Kota Reliquary figures resemble human forms reduced to their most basic flattened geometrical elements and are made from carved wood accented with hammered brass (often taken from imported Europen dishes) and coiled copper. They are often placed in wickerwork baskets (often with two figures on top of the basket, one bigger and one smaller) near the gravesites or gathered human remains (Bwete) of venerated family ancestors and tribal leaders to help protect the spirit of the recently deceased from evil and unwanted spirits and to help guide them along their journey through the afterlife. Besides serving as a mystical conduit between the living and the dead, the reliquary figures are also meant to embody intense powers and were commonly used in communal rites and ritual performances. Many of these reliquary works were destroyed, burned, or thrown into lakes by missionaries in the early to mid-20th century to repress the Kota peoples and ancestor cults that made them. As a result, the tribespeople were forced to hide them in secret, often in ancient cemeteries deep in the forest, to protect their rites, practices, and rituals. Today Kota reliquary figures have become nearly iconic in the world of art and are often recognizable by Western viewers.
This piece has a beautiful, organically aged patina acquired naturally over time and use. It is mounted on a custom display stand.
The work was initially acquired by an Archeology professor who built his collection during sojourns to the African continent in the 1950 and 1960s. We believe it dates back to the early to mid-1900s (stated circa 1950 on base) but could be older.
This work would clearly stand out in any African or tribal art collection or be a great eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Dimensions on stand: 28" high, 9" wide, 5.5" deep.
The figure without the stand is approximately: 25" high, 5.25" wide, and 4" deep.
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Gabon
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early to Mid-1900s
- Condition:In very good vintage condition with natural organic wear consistent with age and use (please see photos). Spectacular and special overall.
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2254334078572
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