Kota Mahongwe Reliquary Figure Gabon
Width: 10.0
Depth: 5.0
Description
The Kota Mahongwe reliquary figure stands as a significant Gabonese African art piece created by the Kota people of northeastern Gabon. Revered for spiritual and ceremonial purposes, these figures hold immense cultural and artistic value. Serving as containers for ancestral remains, they bridge the gap between the living and the spiritual realm, ensuring community well-being and protection. Characterized by elongated forms, these wooden sculptures feature cylindrical bodies with elongated faces and distinct head shapes, adorned with metals, beads, and shells carrying symbolic and aesthetic significance. Intricately designed metal patterns symbolize elements of nature and spiritual concepts like fertility and ancestral power. Crafted by skilled artisans under religious guidance, these figures were vital spiritual tools in various life ceremonies. Now housed in global museums and collections, the Kota Mahongwe reliquary figures continue to inspire contemporary art, highlighting Kota heritage and the profound connection between the living and ancestral worlds in Gabonese culture.
Height (In)
22.5
Width (In)
10.0
Depth (In)
5.0
143498
Approximate Age: Mid 20th Century
People: Kota
Country of Origin: Gabon
Material
Condition
Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.