Fang byeri reliquary figure ,Copper Alloy Gabon Africa Start Price USD 450.00 Current Price USD 450.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Monday, September 29, 2008 End Time Thursday, October 09, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fang byeri reliquary figure ,Copper Alloy Gabon Africa' Description Fang byeri reliquary figure covered with copper alloy Type of Object: byeri reliquary figure Ethnic Group: Fang Country of Origin: Southern Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea Materials: Wood, copper alloy, metal,pigments. Approximate Age: Unknown Dimensions: Height is 24inches; 25.5 inches with stand Overall Condition: Used. Damage, Repair: Some oxidation Provenance: None Additional Information: This fang standing figure has copper alloy sheets covering much of the body except the coffure, the genital area. The face features sour, downturned mouth and flat circular eyes. The hairstyle is imposing. 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 the ancestral reliquary, a round container, known as a "byeri" with their legs hanging over the side.This example is a regular standing figure without any extension. In the past, figures would often be embellished with native copper bands around arms or wrists . Here the entire body is covered with copper sheets. Some figures would hold in front of them miniature ancestor figures or carved animal horns known as Nlakh or small cups used in Byeri rituals honoring ancestors The byeri reliquary 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. The have examined this figure and agree with the descriptionNiangi Batulukisi, Ph.D.**032791** 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!