Tribal Art

Ex-collection of French African art.
Symbolizing according to some authors the naja snake, this wooden sculpture decorated with strips and metal plates is characteristic of the Mahongwe of the extreme northeast of Gabon, on the Congo border. Baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, generally topped by two reliquaries, were kept in village temples. One of them embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants.
The cult of ancestors, the bwete (North Kota) was at the heart of the social and religious life of the Kota and presents many analogies with that of the i>Fang. In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ceremonies during which reliquaries were taken out and used. In order to reactivate ...

Ex-collection of French African art.
African statues of lineage or clan leaders in the tribal art of the Mbede, Mbete, or Ambete.
This version of the reliquary is illustrated by the arrangement and rhythm of its colored planes and by the sober geometry of the facial features. The cult of onkani ancestors, among the Mbete, is surrounded by African figures such as this sculpture whose dorsal cavity conceals baby bird down and fragments of feathers. Matte patina, desiccation cracks, erosions.
The Mbete form a people of Gabon, on the border of Middle Congo, neighboring the Obamba and the Pounou, whose history has been marked by a long-term conflict against the Teke. They do not have a centralized political organization and practice ancestor worship.

This sculpture depicts a concave face, capped with large extended side panels of two pendeloques. It is plated with copper and brass leaves that a discreet nailing makes adhere to the wooden soul. The set is animated by geometric patterns. The eyes surrounded by a resinous amalgam are made up of bone or horn washers. The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures, playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead, who watched over the descendants, were associated with the rites of the bwete , comparable to those of the Fang . They are sometimes bifaces, mbulu-viti, symbolizing both the masculine and ...

“Reliquary figure” of the Bwete devoid of its charge. Cut according to traditional conventions, it stands out thanks to its geometric head with a flat face framed by protruding ears, perched on a long neck lined with copper spirals. Lustrous patina, erosions and desiccation cracks.
Among the Shira-Punu group, the Massango, Mashango, Sango, Sangu, established themselves on the Chaillu massif in Gabon and in the province of Ngounié. The use of baskets and also reliquary packages with bones of the deceased, on which sculptures of this type were enthroned, was widespread throughout Gabon, among the Fang, the Kota, but also the Mitsogho and the Massango, among whom this cult takes the name of Bumba, Mbumba. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the ...

African sculpture of Mbumba Sango reliquary, small in size, offering a flat face overlooking a long neck decorated with metal spirals. The abstract morphology forms a diamond, respecting traditional standards. Glossy brown patina, copper metal.
Among the Shira-Punu group, the Massango, Mashango, Sango, Sangu, established themselves on the Chaillu massif in Gabon and in the province of Ngounié. The use of baskets and also reliquary packages with bones of the deceased, on which sculptures of this type were enthroned, was widespread throughout Gabon, among the Fang, the Kota, but also the Mitsogho and the Massango, among whom this cult takes the name of Bumba, Mbumba. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over their ...

Kota African art.
Unusual by its face in very marked relief, this reliquary guardian is indeed typical of the Kota style of the Sébé valley, a tributary of the right bank of the Ogooué, in the east of Gabon . Rows of embossed dotted lines underline the shells enhanced with a thick coppery rib. The latter borders the contours of the "death's head", also dividing the forehead. The base is narrow and relatively compact. The eyes are made of bone, the eyelid metallic, and the mouth absent. Copper wires are wound around the base, which is surrounded by a ring. The back of the sculpture depicts the headdress of a dignitary. This prestigious sculpture symbolizes the link between the world of the living and that of the dead. This type of effigy had the function of keeping the mortuary relics ...

This bifaced African sculpture is believed to be associated with the serpent naja. The baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, generally surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in the temples of the village. One of them embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants. A large openwork plate encircles the faces, concave on one side, convex on the other. Repoussé engraved copper sheets combined with parallel metal wires provide a carefully alternated decor. Minor crazing and abrasions.
The worship of ancestors, the bwete (Northern Kota) was at the heart of the social and religious life of the Kota and presents many analogies with that of the Fang . In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ...

Rare set consisting of a basket on which are fixed a sculpted mask embellished with small bones and cowries. For the Boa, it would be a ritual altar for protection.
Grainy patina. Erosions, lacks. br /> Flanked by pierced lobes like the ear flaps of the Boa of the east, the "bavobongo", and a mouth lined with sparse teeth, this African mask gave an impressive appearance to its wearer, accentuated by the contrast of colors. Supposed to render invulnerable and with the aim of terrifying the enemy, the African mask kpongadomba or "Pongdudu" of the Boa was ordered by the chief kumu who offered it to the bravest warrior. It was then kept in his wife's hut. Close to the Mangbetu and the Zande, the Boa inhabit the savannah in the north of Democratic Republic of Congo. Some Boa ...

"Mbumba Bwiti" of a very particular type, the basketwork basket which constitutes the reliquary being arranged downwards (upper part of the basket with bones?). The Mitsogho ethnic group, Sogho, is established in a forest region on the right bank of the Ngoumé River, Ngounié, near the Kwele. Bwiti society, which has a system of reliquaries comparable to that of the Fang and the Kota, formed the cohesion of the Mitsogho matrilineal clans. Their masks were exhibited at funerals, and stored in the ebanza male initiation house. Like the other ethnic groups of Gabon, they practice the rites of the Bwiti which would have spread in this way among the coastal peoples. Their sculptural production is varied, in the form of statues, masks, reliquary guardians, pillars, doors and panels, musical ...

Ancestor worship among the Mbete is accompanied by sculpted figures used as reliquary. The dorsal cavity is indeed filled with nails and bones. The abundant decoration comes in engraved metal plates, embellished with nails, a necklace and a belt made up of iron elements. The arms folded at a right angle are attached to the bust. The semi-flexed muscular legs herald a ritual dance.
Gold and copper metal, abraded matte patina, erosions, cracks.
The Mbete form a tribe of Gabon, on the border of the Middle Congo, close to the Obamba and the Pounou, whose history has been marked by a long-term conflict against the Teke. They do not have a centralized political organization, practice ancestor worship.

Rare stylistic variant of Kota art: metal plates are stapled on a wooden core with a face on top. Image inspired by visions, the geometrical head is crossed by a ridge forming the nose, punctuated by upholstery nails, whose copper color contrasts with the gilded metal.
Baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, usually surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in temples in the village. One embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second embodied his descendants. The cult of ancestors, the bwete (North Kota) was at the heart of the social and religious life of the Kota and presents many analogies with that of the Fang . In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were made during ceremonies in which reliquaries were taken out and ...

Collection of Belgian African tribal art whose name will be communicated to the buyer.
Embodying a lineage founder, this sculpture is distinguished by its concave ogive face surmounted by a tubular protrusion. The piercing eyes are represented by cabochons pierced with a pupil. The surface is set with skilfully juxtaposed copper wires, all evoking for some the serpent naja. The elements of the posterior part symbolize a hairstyle. This sculpture is characteristic of the Mahongwe of the extreme northeast of Gabon, on the border with Congo. The baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, generally surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in temples in the village. One of them embodied the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants. br>The worship of the ...

This ritual sculpture, plated with copper-brass sheets according to the kota tradition, forms a stylized image of the ancestor, also a coat of arms for the clan. Its structure comes from the works produced by the Shamaye of the Ivindo basin. The outgrowth depicts the old braided ibenda of the dignitaries. The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were associated with the rites at bwete , comparable to those of the Fang . This type of room, called ngulu, acted as "guardian" of the relics above the baskets ...

This rare two-face sculpture is characteristic of the Mahongwe of the extreme northeast of Gabon, on the border of Congo, and associated according to some with the naja snake. The baskets containing the relics of illustrious ancestors, usually surmounted by two reliquaries, were kept in temples in the village. One was the founder of the lineage, and the second his descendants.
The concave warhead face topped with a small tubular growth is adorned with cabochons eyes, equipped with a pupil. A rounded nose accentuates the singular appearance of the mouthless face. Metal wires and repulsed strips provide a carefully alternate décor. The foot is eroded. Beautiful grey patina, green-of-grey reflections.
Collection Mercier.
The cult of ancestors, the bwete (North Kota) was at ...

Unlike the relatively flat kota ancestor sculptures, this partially metal clad statue bears a large head with a prominent forehead, framed by cylindrical ears. The eroded part is supported by a metal base.
This ritual sculpture, plated with metal sheets according to the kota tradition, forms a stylized image of the ancestor, a coat of arms also for the clan, and is generally distinguished by the shape of the headdress, which varies according to the region. The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were ...

Obamba sculptural expression in African art

Effigie of ancestor Kota known mbulu-ngulu, its morphology is similar to the Obamba type. A concave face, from which the eyes pierce in cabochons, is haloed with a headdress with side fins. The set is plated with sheets and metal threads engraved with repulsed. The base that would appear the arms is only partially covered with metal.
This type of figure overcame the baskets in which the mortuary relics of the upper lineage ancestors were stored, playing the role of guardians named ngulu. In the exclusive presence of insiders, the clan's major decisions were made during ceremonies during which the reliquaries were taken out and used by the banganga . In order to reactivate the magical charge, the initiates rubbed the relic with ...

Anthropomorphic figure associated with ancestor worship, carved in dense wood. Adorned with copper sheets offering a variety of fine decorative motifs evoking body marks and tribal paintings, it also sports a loincloth made of bells. The flat face has metal-rimmed hollow pupils and small parallel teeth. The posture would be one of those accompanying ceremonial dances.
Desication cracks, kaolin residues, erosions.
The Mbete, Ambete, form a tribe of Gabon, on the border of the Middle Congo, close to the Obamba and the Pounou, whose history has been marked by a long-term conflict against the Teke. They do not have a centralized political organization, practice ancestor worship without reliquary boxes, their statues frequently comprising a cavity fitted out for this purpose.

Named Bonganga or Efomba according to the authors, these very geometric anthropomorphic coffins were intended to accommodate the remains of dignitaries of the Ngata ethnic group. As in ancient Egypt, this type of sarcophagus was commissioned during their lifetime by high-ranking people. These " bonganga-nganga " sculptures stand out for their polychromy and beautiful alternation of geometric patterns. This ornamentation takes up the traditional scarifications, tattoos, paintings and textiles with which the deceased adorns himself. The hollow back acts as a receptacle in which horns have been placed. Smaller in size than those dedicated to the great chiefs (some of which can reach more than 2m), this type of sculpture could have been dedicated to a family cult, and not placed on the tomb ...

Ex-collection of French African tribal art, the name of the collector will be communicated to the buyer.

"Reliquary figure" of the Bwete with a flat face framed by cork-shaped excrescences representing the ears, surmounting a long neck encircled with copper wire. The hairstyle indicates hair gathered towards the back in a single braid. Glossy patina, minor erosions.
Among the Shira-Punu group, the Massango, Mashango, Sango, Sangu, established themselves on the Chaillu massif in Gabon and in the province of Ngounié. The use of baskets and also reliquary packages with bones of the deceased, on which sculptures of this type were enthroned, was widespread throughout Gabon, among the Fang, the Kota, but also the Mitsogho and the Massango, among whom this cult takes ...

Br-Guardians of reliquary in the African art of Gabon
This male figure embodies the spirit of the ancestors. A tribal sculpture of great aesthetic quality, it was preserved by the esa, the oldest man in the family, and was stored in the reliquary basket in which the bones of the ancestors were kept. The rhythm of the angles, headdress, breasts, musculature, joins, contrasts with the tubular volumes. Very present, the tubular element at the umbilical symbolizes the filial bond. By the care given to the physiognomy, an intense concentration seems to emanate, reinforced by the attitude of the hands gathered on the bust. Smooth black patina, erosions located on one foot and the sides of the headdress.
This type of object was placed in a dark corner of the box. The relics of the ...

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Exceptional Sango reliquary sculpture offering a head resting on a long metal-encircled neck. The radically abstract body unfolds in a diamond shape, following the classic structure of reliquary figures.
Among the Shira-Punu group, The Massango, Mashango, Sango, Sangu, settled on the Chaillu massif in Gabon and in the province of Ngounié. The use of baskets and also bundles of reliquaries with the bones of the deceased, on which sculptures of this type were enthroned, was widespread throughout Gabon, among the Fang, the Kota, but also the Mitsogho and the Massango > , in which this cult takes the name of Bumba , Mbumba. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over the descendants, were associated with the bwete rites among ...