Fang Byeri Figure On Large Container, African Start Price USD 800.00 Current Price USD 800.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 21, 2008 End Time Tuesday, October 21, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fang Byeri Figure On Large Container, African' Description Title: Fang Byeri Figure On Large Container, African carvingType of Object: CarvingEthnic Group: FangCountry of Origin: GabonMaterials: Wood, Bark, Vegetal Fibres, PigmentApproximate Age: Mid 20th CenturyDimensions: Height of Box is 17 Inches, Height of Figure is 7 InchesOverall Condition: Excellent Damage, Repair: General Wear, Crack on Lid Additional Information: CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY AVAILABLE!Small figure on large bark box with removable lid.Box shows age and use. It still has a handmade rope hanging from one of the two handles on the sides. As some of the most powerful and best know sculptural forms emerging from Africa, Fang figures hold a prominent place in the history of African art. As reliquary guardians, Fang figures often appear as though they are slightly crouched with legs slightly bent or shown in a seated position with a narrow stick-like extension often reaching downwards from the buttocks. This latter posture enables the figures to perch on the edge of the ancestral reliquary known as a 'byeri' with their legs hanging over the side. The byeri reliquary held the bones of ancestors and were venerated through annual ceremonies at which they were present in the form of the sculptures. Photographed as early as 1907 (Tessmann 1913/1972, vol. II) the cult of Byeri began to lose its prominence after 1910 due to colonial government pressure. In the past figures would often be embellished with native copper bands around arms or wrists and some would hold in front of them miniature ancestor figures or carved animal horns known as Nlakh or small cups used in byeri rituals.Niangi Batulukisi, Ph.D. **W2425** 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!