Fang Statue From Ntumu-eyema-byeri, Gabon

Origin: Gabon
Tribe: Fang
Material: Wood
Dimensions: 40 cm
Shipping method:  Colissimo/DHL within 24–48 hours

This magnificent bieri (or reliquary) from the Fang Ntumu ethnic group (primarily native to Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, or Gabon) stands out for its traditional stylistic and iconographic features.​Key Features​The Distinctive Headdress: The statue features a voluminous headdress typical of the Ntumu style, generally divided into several lobes or braids extending backward, often finely incised with geometric patterns or striations.​The Face and Eyes: The face has clean, rounded features. The eyes are marked by inserts (often made of metal, such as brass or copper, or of bone or cowrie shells) that catch the light and give the statuette an intense, piercing, and protective spiritual presence.​Posture and morphology: The body is rigid, stylized, and cylindrical. The arms are folded along the torso or the hands are clasped in front of the abdomen. The statue sits on a round base or on its buttocks, with the legs bent, ending in a tenon (a mounting pin) that allowed it to be impaled onto the bark basket (nsamba) containing the bones of the ancestors.​Patina: The hardwood is covered with a rich, dark, glossy, and deep patina, reflecting ritual libations (palm oil, tallow) and handling over time.​Spiritual Function​Among the Fang people, these reliquary figures (nlo bieri) are not idols in the strict sense, but symbolic guardians. They watch over the skulls and relics of the clan’s illustrious ancestors, thereby protecting the community from evil forces and maintaining the connection with past generations.