Fang Betsi Añgokh Nlô Byeri reliquary head
Worship of ancestors in African art
There are heads in African Fang art having the same role as the full-length statues called Byeri. Just like these famous figures, heads such as the one I am proposing here had the main function of watching over the ancestor whose relics were contained in a pot or in a container wrapped in rope.
Through the impression of seriousness and dignity that emanates from her, this Añgokh Nlô Byeri head offers a good example of the spirituality that permeates the works of art of the Fang.
Note the sculptural quality shown by the artist: perfect balance of the face, curved face like the famous Ngil masks, headdress subdivided into two mats, piercing circular eyes. The stylistic choices found in this piece allow it to be attributed to the Fang Betsi subgroup.
This remarkable and rare piece comes from the collection of the late François Charles Bazelaire, Belgium.
Another copy of this type of head still including its basket: that of the collection of the Dapper Museum.
Cf. Native Forests, Arts of Atlantic Equatorial Africa, Quai Branly Museum
01509
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1960
- Size
- 23 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, accessories
- Country
- Origin
- François C. Bazelaire, painter and sculptor, Bruxelles
- Condition
- Excellent
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Worship of ancestors in African art
There are heads in African Fang art having the same role as the full-length statues called Byeri. Just like these famous figures, heads such as the one I am proposing here had the main function of watching over the ancestor whose relics were contained in a pot or in a container wrapped in rope.
Through the impression of seriousness and dignity that emanates from her, this Añgokh Nlô Byeri head offers a good example of the spirituality that permeates the works of art of the Fang.
Note the sculptural quality shown by the artist: perfect balance of the face, curved face like the famous Ngil masks, headdress subdivided into two mats, piercing circular eyes. The stylistic choices found in this piece allow it to be attributed to the Fang Betsi subgroup.
This remarkable and rare piece comes from the collection of the late François Charles Bazelaire, Belgium.
Another copy of this type of head still including its basket: that of the collection of the Dapper Museum.
Cf. Native Forests, Arts of Atlantic Equatorial Africa, Quai Branly Museum