Fang Female Figure Mbea subgroup, Gabon, African Start Price USD 805.00 Current Price USD 805.00 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 Female Figure Mbea subgroup, Gabon, African' Description Fang Female Figure Mbea subgroup, African Type of Object: Reliquary Figure (Eyema-o-Bieri Figure) Ethnic Group: Fang Country of Origin: Southern Cameroon or Gabon. Materials: Wood, stain and pigments. Approximate Age: Mid 20th centuryDimensions: Height is 28 inches. Overall Condition: Patina is shiny and very smooth on breasts, top of face, and arms. . Damage, Repair: Old age cracks, old bug damage Additional Information: A fine figure, made of dense, heavy wood. This well carved female figure comes from the northern Fang, and small sub-group known as Mbea. This figure has greater sculptural dynamics than ordinarily found in Fang figures as seen in the details of the back and hair and the long arms.During migrations which took place in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries the Fang people moved to their present area becoming part of a complex overlay of population of approximately 200,000, who stretch from southern Cameroon, through Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The Fang organized their lives around the family lineage and venerated their lineage's ancestors at family shrines where memorials or reliquary boxes known as byeri, containing their bones were under the care of an elder known as the Esa. Containers made of either bark or woven basketry was surmounted by sculpted figures that guarded the remains of Fang ancestors. Known as eyema-o-byeri these guardian figures were a point of contact for veneration of the ancestors and served to witness and validate the initiation rituals of young men. When not in actual use the sculpted figures were generally hidden from view. Fang figures appear to be slightly crouched with legs bent in a seated position to rest on the container enabling the figures to perch on the edge of the byeri with their legs hanging over the side.I have examined this piece and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.  **W2694** 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!