Statue Ambeté-gabon. Art Premier d'Afrique
Reliquary statue - Mbete / Ambete - Gabon - African ReliquaryThe Mbété of the upper Ogooué basin and its tributaries produced hollowed-out statues used as reliquaries.
These representations contained the bones of deceased leaders.Surveys carried out in the 1920s-1930s among the Mbété of the central region revealed an important relic cult, the Ngoye, a closed association of clan chiefs who attributed supernatural power to certain bones of their deceased predecessors.These relics were kept inside the hollow torsos of wooden statues.
One example observed at this time was called mitsitsi-na-ngoye.
When not in use, statues of this type were suspended in special shelters.Their use seemed to be initiatory.
During a ceremony, they could be taken out and placed in front of the Ngoye candidates, in order to present them with the names and history of the relics.
These sacred relics were most often made up of skull fragments and finger bones.
These representations contained the bones of deceased leaders.Surveys carried out in the 1920s-1930s among the Mbété of the central region revealed an important relic cult, the Ngoye, a closed association of clan chiefs who attributed supernatural power to certain bones of their deceased predecessors.These relics were kept inside the hollow torsos of wooden statues.
One example observed at this time was called mitsitsi-na-ngoye.
When not in use, statues of this type were suspended in special shelters.Their use seemed to be initiatory.
During a ceremony, they could be taken out and placed in front of the Ngoye candidates, in order to present them with the names and history of the relics.
These sacred relics were most often made up of skull fragments and finger bones.
4 500 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Tribal Art
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Solid wood
Length: 82 cm
Width: 20 cm
Height: 82 cm
Reference (ID): 1735915
Availability: In stock
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