Ambete Reliquary Standing Male Figure, African Start Price USD 395.00 Current Price USD 395.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, October 03, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 02, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Ambete Reliquary Standing Male Figure, African' Description Title: Ambete Reliquary Standing Figure                                      Type of Object: Carving, statue                                                   Ethnic Group: Ambete Country of Origin: Gabon                                                     Materials: Wood and Pigment Approximate Age: Mid to late 20th Century Dimensions: 24 Inches Overall Condition: Good                                                              Damage and repairs: holes in the head, Left foot broken and part missing, holes and chips in the right foot, wearAdditional Information:  This stylized standing Male Memorial Figure comes from the Ambete people. 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 in the back of the figure that would be covered by a small door to hold the bones of an ancestor. The small opening in this figure is empty and has no lid.  This figure is a striking figure that carries a great deal of visual presence. The strong body has small parallel arms as well as slightly modeled legs and feet and sex is carved. The face is expressionistically powerful with metal studs serving as eyes, a short triangular nose, and an open rectangular mouth without indication of teeth. The head is extended by a protrusion covered with braided vegetal fibers.  The figure has been painted several times with local white pigment. The forehead design, the eyebrows, nose, and arms have been highlighted by darkening color. The figure appears to have some age to it due to the worn surface. I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**032857** 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!