superb reliquary - Bakota - Gabon (No Reserve Price)

BWITI RELIQUARY - KOTA / MAHONGWE - GABON - AFRICAN RELIQUARY
The Kotas or Bakotas, as well as the Mahongwé live in eastern Gabon, and are renowned for their reliquaries.

Of these wicker baskets which are rarely complete, we especially know the sculptures which topped them, intended to watch over the bones of the ancestors and playing the important role of guardians of the relics.

During major ceremonies (bwett, mbulu-ngulu or mboy) of the clan in which only the initiates participated, the reliquaries were brought out into the open.

Thus the ancestors participated beyond their death in the important decisions that the members of the clan were called upon to make.

Many variations of shapes and materials exist, so much so that it is difficult to provide an easy classification.

The piece presented is not very old.

On the other hand, it is extremely well worked and above all is very original:

it indeed follows the shapes of the reliquaries of the Kotas (headdress in an arc of a circle, foot in a triangle, etc.) but instead of being covered with brass plates as usual, it is covered with copper wire, like the Mahongwe reliquaries