Mahongwe reliquary figure
Renowned in African art from Gabon, Mahongwe reliquary guardians are wooden figures covered in brass or copper, characterized by a very advanced abstract stylization.
These surprising statues surmounted baskets containing ancestral relics, including skulls, and played a central role in the Bwiti cult, aimed at honoring and seeking the protection of ancestors.
These figures were also used during initiation rites, symbolizing continuity between generations and the transmission of cultural values.
02556
Data sheet
- Size
- 53 cm (56 cm with support)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood, metal
- Country
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Very good
Renowned in African art from Gabon, Mahongwe reliquary guardians are wooden figures covered in brass or copper, characterized by a very advanced abstract stylization.
These surprising statues surmounted baskets containing ancestral relics, including skulls, and played a central role in the Bwiti cult, aimed at honoring and seeking the protection of ancestors.
These figures were also used during initiation rites, symbolizing continuity between generations and the transmission of cultural values.