Kota Reliquary Figure Sculpture Mahongwe People Gabon

On offer is an African wooden and metal sculptural work called Boho na bwete from Northern part of Gabon made by Mahongwe people. Boho na bwete means Face of Ancestors in local language and the statue represents the deceased family members in an abstract way and was used as a reliquary figure fixed on top of the basket that contains the bundles of the ancestor's bones and remains, serving as a public shrine for worshipping. The style of the Kota figure varies significantly from location and tribal community.
Made of a wood core, the surface of this Kota reliquary was entirely covered by patinated copper and brass. The slightly concaved front represents an ancestor's face with two bossed eyes and a raised nose bridge. Thin strips of copper were embedded in clean lines to form a highly symmetrical and geometrical pattern. The back of the figure is also entirely covered by sheets of copper. The face extended down to a shaft that has a diamond shape opening viewing from side, A slightly large base concludes the piece and was used to fix the statue to the basket and now is mounted on a heavy bronze plate for display.
Examining the statue, its materials and patina, the figure was likely made in mid-20th century for tourist trade. It was not a recent production on the market but unlikely a piece collected in the field that had been used in the native context. It is, however, a wonderful object, attractive and provocative in form and cultural meaning.
The figure was from an African Art collector in US who has collected African art for the past 50-60 years.
For a similar but older figure, see Object Number: 1978.412.434 in the collection of Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC