code: 2021-WA

an African tribal art figure, known as a

reliquary guardian figure 

or Bwete / Bwiti / Bete basket guard, 

of the

Kota / Koto peoples from Gabon, west Africa, the

- Mahongwe / Hongwe / Hungwe / Mahongoue / Mahoungoue / Bakota / Bushamaye / Ossyeba -

made of carved wood with hammered metal strips, sheets, nails, wire and textile,

we see a highly stylized / abstract representation of a human body with

a concave, cubist like "face", truncated / spade shape / almond shape

with bulbous eyes, a sharp, triangular nose and lips,

with a convex back,

the upper part of the stem and the lower part is coiled with textile,

the top-knot is coiled with wire,

- the chignon recalls the traditional hairstyle of notable Mahongwe men -

this figure has a nice patina and signs of age,

age unknown, probably 20th century

condition: firm, it seems complete, some stains, rust, dirt and crust, signs of age and handling

height: circa 42 cm / 16.5 inch

width of the "face": circa 18,5 cm / 7.2 inch

weight: circa 722 gr.

MaHongwe reliquary figurines were set or attached in an upright position in baskets that contained the material remains of the owner's illustrious forebears, the cult of which was named bwete.

some more search terms: figure de reliquaire de Kota Mahongwe Gabon

please note: we are not experts on the subject of tribal art, we have done some research, trying to attribute this item to a land, country, tribe or people, to the best we could - do judge for yourself the tribal affilation and the correct age - we are selling this item "as is" and we will not accept returns if the buyer finds that we are wrong concerning these matters.