Sango Kota Reliquary Figure From Gabon

Sango Kota reliquary figure from Gabon, made of solid wood, with a head covered in brass and copper. The long neck is encircled with oxidized iron. There is damage to the lozenge and the top of the headdress. The eyes are prominent, and the arched eyebrows enhance the expressiveness of the gaze. A certain patina of use is noticeable on the exposed wood, caused by repeated handling. Height 26cm plus 32cm wooden base. Linked to ancestor worship—lineages or brotherhoods—these commemorative guardian figures of the Mbumba Bwiti were placed in baskets containing relics. This figure belongs to the production of the Sangu or Sango, a population living in the Lastourville region, in the Ogoué River bend, an area where a style close to abstraction predominates. A beautiful expressive intensity emanates from the face. The master sculptor who created it skillfully used different shades of brass and copper for a harmonious representation of the face. Provenance: Private collection. Free shipping within the European Union. €150 for international shipping.