Ambete Large Standing Memorial Figure, box in back Start Price USD 750.00 Current Price USD 750.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Tuesday, September 30, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 30, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Ambete Large Standing Memorial Figure, box in back' Description Ambete Large Standing Memorial Figure Type of Object: Carving , Statue Ethnic Group: Ambete Country of Origin: Gabon Materials: Wood, pigment, paint, iron rings , cowry shellsApproximate Age: First half of 20th century Dimensions: 39 inches Overall Condition: Good, UsedDamage, Repair: paint coming out in places, stains,  some oxydation on metalAdditional Information: This is a large and striking standing male figure that carries a great deal of visual presence. The strong body has small parallel arms as well as slightly modeled legs and feet. The face coveredwith copper alloy sheets is expressionistically powerful with cowry serving as eyes and with small and straight nose and an open mouth showing pointed teeth. The striations of the hair and the prominent medial crest decorated with four iron-forged rings are characteristic of the Ambete style. This figure has white and red pigments. It seems like the figure was painted several times. An open box for relics in the back is covered with lid. This is a memorial or ancestral figure in a classic style of Ambete. The Ambete live along the border between present day Gabon and the south eastern region of the Republic of Congo. It is an area that in the past saw great population movements and extended trade between different people resulting in shared ritual and sculptural traditions. Like their Kota speaking neighbors the Ambete make use of reliquary figures to honor and commemorate important lineage members. Most Ambete reliquary figures have a small opening at the back of the figure that would be covered by a small door to hold the bones of an ancestor. The cavity in the present figure is empty.The figure appears to have some age to it due to the worn surface. This figure will be a good addition to any collection of African Art. I examined this piece and agree with the description Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**032834** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!