Kota Mahongwe Reliquary Guardian Figure Copper Wire Wood Gabon African Art 22 in

Overview

A genuine African-made Kota-Mahongwe reliquary guardian figure from Gabon, Central Africa, standing about 22 inches tall. The leaf-shaped face and the back of the head are covered in closely wrapped horizontal copper wire. A stamped copper band with dot and Y-shaped patterns runs down the center of the face, ending in a long copper nose. Two round copper eyes are fixed with small pins at their centers, and a wire-wrapped crest curves up from the top of the head. The tapered neck is wrapped in copper wire, and below it the openwork lower section, covered in stamped copper sheet, has an opening through one side and rests on a round wooden foot. Deep green verdigris over the copper-red wire gives the piece strong color and texture. It suits a shelf, pedestal, mantel or sideboard.

Background

Among the Kota and related peoples of Gabon and the Republic of the Congo, guardian figures like this were set on baskets or bundles holding the relics of honored ancestors, as part of the bwete reliquary tradition. Mahongwe artists are known for elongated, leaf-shaped heads covered in tightly wrapped metal wire, a form held in major collections such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This figure is unsigned. It is built on a carved wooden core, with the wire, copper bands, eyes and nose fastened onto it by hand. It weighs about 7 lb 7.6 oz. Its age and any history of ritual use have not been documented.

Condition

Good condition for its type, with no breaks seen. There is heavy green verdigris and whitish deposits across the copper, small gaps and loose spots in the wire wrapping on the face and sides, and wear at the top of the crest where the core shows. The round foot has tool marks, light cracks and a dark stain on the underside. Please see all photos.

Dimensions & Weight

The figure measures about 22 x 6 x 5.4 inches (H x W x D) and weighs about 7 lb 7.6 oz.

Shipping

Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.