Fang Janus Figures on Club, African Carving Start Price USD 195.00 Current Price USD 195.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Friday, June 27, 2008 End Time Monday, July 07, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fang Janus Figures on Club, African Carving' Description Height is 18 inches. A fascinating piece...male and female are back to back at the top of what appears to be a ritual club. Old insect damage to base of club. As some of the most powerful and best known sculptural forms emerging from Africa, Fang figures hold a prominent place in the history of African art. As reliquary guardians, Fang figures often appear 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 an ancestral reliquary, a round container, known as a "byeri," with their legs hanging over the side. The byeri held the bones of ancestors and were venerated through annual ceremonies. Photographed as early as 1907 (Tessmann 1913/1972, vol. II), the cult of Byeri began to lose its prominence after 1910 due to French colonial government pressure. In the past, figures would often be embellished with native copper bands around arms or wrists. Some would hold in front of them miniature ancestor figures, small cups, or carved animal horns known as "Nlakh."**005170** 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!