Fang Reliquary Figure, Byeri, Gabon, African Start Price USD 590.00 Current Price USD 590.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Saturday, July 19, 2008 End Time Saturday, July 26, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Fang Reliquary Figure, Byeri, Gabon, African' Description Fang Reliquary Figure, Byeri  Type of Object: Carving, statue         Ethnic Group: Fang                                                                  Country of Origin: Gabon, Cameroon                                       Materials: Wood, brass,  iron, and pigments                             Dimensions: Height is 28 inches                                         Approximate Age:  Mid to late 20th century                           Overall Condition: Good                                                    Damage, Repair: old repaired crack to one arm , old chips and holes in the head                                                                            Additional Information: This standing female figure with well built body and high crescent  hairstyle wears a cotton skirt and beads around the neck and ankles. This figure is identified with the Fang people of Gabon.   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. The byeri reliquary held the bones of ancestors which were venerated through annual ceremonies at which they were present in the form of sculptures.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 and some 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.**032943** 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!