Fang Janus Reliquary Heads Gabon Rohner Collection
Width: 7.0
Depth: 4.0
Description
These exquisitely sculpted heads are traditionally associated with figures and masks prevalent across a vast region spanning from Cameroon to Gabon and the Atlantic coast. While the specific function of this remarkable old carving is unknown, its intricate craftsmanship and facial features resemble figural images found on family altars, leading us to believe it may have been part of the Fang Byeri funerary cult. This cult utilized Byeri reliquaries to house the bones of ancestors and were revered through annual ceremonies, during which they took the form of sculptures. Dating back to as early as 1907 (Tessmann 1913/1972, vol. II), the Byeri cult began to decline in importance after 1910 due to pressure from the French colonial government. In the past, these figures were often adorned with native copper bands and occasionally held miniature ancestor figures or carved animal horns known as Nlakh or small cups used in Byeri rituals to honor ancestors.
Provenance: John R. Rohner Collection
Rohner, a museum curator for decades, aimed his practiced eye for authenticity to African art beginning in the early 1980s. His passion for this art only grew through the decades he built his collection––always with an aim for a broad and representative array of pieces. The collection appears in his book, Art Treasures from African Runners (2000, University Press of Colorado).
Item #190 on pg. 121
Height (In): 15.5
Width (In): 7.0
Depth (In): 4.0
157363
Approximate Age: 20th Century
People: Fang
Country of Origin: Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.