Location:	New York
Type:	African Funerary / Reliquary Figure
Tribe:	Kota / Mahongwe / Ossyeba
Country:	Gabon
Materials:	Wood, Copper Plating and Wire
Age:	50-70 years
Dimensions:	17" x 7.5" x 5" (HxWxD)
Quality:	Museum quality, tribally used
Overall Condition:	Good; damaged foot as shown in photos; small splits, scrapes and cracks due to age and extensive use

This is an authentic, tribally used, African Statue Kota or Ossyeba Funerary/Reliquary Figure. The statue was purchased more than 10 years ago from an African Gallery in New York City.

 

The Kota and Ossyeba tribes celebrate cults based upon the belief of the soul's performance after death. Each figurine corresponds to a specific ancestor and was a symbolic representation of him. These figures are placed on top of a box containing the bones of their deceased. The wooden head of this figure is wrapped in beaten copper and brass whilst the neck area is wrapped with string. It is also a double headed figure with a head at the rear. The lower body of the figure has beaten copper placed around the legs and shoulders. Reduced to a group of signs having little in common with a real human face, such sculpture retains only a pair of eyes, generally set in the middle of the figure. The curved lines descending from these "eyes" have been interpreted as tears. The mouth has completely disappeared because the deceased do not speak. The entire piece gives off the intense spirituality of this almost dreamlike version.

 

For additional photos or questions please email me. Shipping costs can be reduced by combining items.