Tribal Carved Mahongwe Reliquary Guardian Gabon

This is a Kota Mahongwe reliquary figure created by the Kota people of Gabon, in Central Africa. The figure has domed eyes and triangular nose and has sheet copper to the back. It measures 42cm and has the remains of its fixing post. These wooden sculptures, adorned with metal (often brass or copper), are used in spiritual and ceremonial practices to house the remains of deceased ancestors and act as intermediaries between the living and the spirit realm. The figures are known for their distinctive elongated forms, often with a lozenge-shaped head, and are considered important cultural and artistic artifacts.