Ex-collection African tribal art Belgian This guardian effigy of a reliquary, evoking the ancestors, adopts a headdress with flat shells ending in two short pendants. The flat face is divided into contrasting tones. The whole is plated with a network of copper and brass sheets that a fine nailing fixes to the wooden frame. This type of sculpture placed on the reliquary baskets played among the Kota the role of "medium" between the living and the dead and watched over their descendants. They are sometimes bifaces, the mbulu-viti, symbolizing the masculine and feminine aspect at the same time. In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ceremonies during which the reliquaries were taken out and used. In order to reactivate the magic charge, the initiates rubbed the relic with sand.
This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
You could also be interested by these items
If your offer is accepted, the item will be ordered on your behalf automaticaly. By making offer, you accept the selling conditions.
You must login to make an offer Log in