Male Ancestral Figure Byeri - hardwood, brass sheeting, iron, beads, cauris - Fang - Mabea - Southern Cameroon

Formidable Male Ancestral Figure Byeri – Fang - Mabea – Southern Cameroon In good state, but obviously vintage with layered patina. It dates to the 1920’s. Provenance: Ex- collection of François Chanudet, La Rochelle, France. Bought by him just after the second worldwar in a local salesroom. Obtained from him by H. Westerdijk around 1975. This Mabea Byeri still shows clear influence from the style of the neighbouring Ntumu – group. The ancestor sits on a monoxylous rod coming down from his backside intended to keep it in balance on its bark wood box or nsekh (now missing) . The brass elements applied to its surface are clearly Mabea in character and so are the iron rings on its ankles. The magical horn held by the figure is of Ngumba origin. This interesting mix of traits has helped to create a highly original piece of art with strong and convincing details in head, torso and limbs, the work of a great artist who was able to carve a well-balanced figure with pleasing forms and volumes. Beads about the neck. Fine shiny black patina with much gloss. Literature: Alisa La Gamma (ed.) : Eternal Ancestors, New York etc. , 2007, pp. 126 – 136. Dimensions : 51 x 16 x 16 cm. People / Region: The Mabea –Ntumu live in southwest Cameroon and in adjacent parts of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Material: hardwood, brass sheeting, iron, beads, cauris. Weight: 1. 52 kg. Sold with handwritten declaration of authenticity by Dr. P. Westerdijk, museum ethnologist and cultural anthropologist specialized, for over 50 years now, in the study of the material cultures in African nations that live south of the Sahara.