Preview
Description
Reliquary Guardian Figure (Female)
21" high
Circa 19th Century
Fang, Gabon, West Africa
Wood, Metal
A standing female figure used as a reliquary guardian. The figure contains a flaring head piece and a bulbous forehead, the face decorated with copper on the forehead, eyes and circular mouth. The arched eyebrows lead to a flattened nose. A columnar neck stems from broad shoulders with enlarged deltoids. The muscular arms lead to broad hands which rest on the figure's knees. The legs sit in a squatting position and the body is appliqued with copper on the breasts, abdomen and wrists.
Keywords
reliquary, reliquary guardian figure, African art, African artifacts, African sculpture, Fang, Gabon, West Africa