57 - SET OF TWO ANTHROPOMORPHIC RELIQUARY GUARDIAN STATUES, BYERI - Gabon - Fang

SET OF TWO ANTHROPOMORPHIC RELIQUARY GUARDIAN STATUES, BYERI - Gabon - Fang First half of the 20th century. Wood, dark patina from use, kaolin, feather adornments, plant fibers (raffia), old collection label (in German). Statue 1: Standing male figure with stocky musculature and massive shoulders, arms at his sides. The face has a concave profile, with a powerful forehead divided by a central ridge. The eyes are highlighted by circular kaolin accents surrounding the pupils, and the mouth features thick, slightly parted lips. He rests at the center of a large, original composite nest-shaped adornment, combining long brown plant fibers and bird feathers. A cardboard inventory label hangs from the side. Statue 2: Seated figure holding an offering cup in front of the chest. Heart-shaped face, eyes made of clear glass beads, protruding lower jaw. The hairstyle is divided into three imposing braids sculpted in relief, held together by a horizontal braid that wraps around the nape of the neck, forming a sort of downward-pointing arrow. The navel is prominent, overlooking a raffia skirt and a handwritten collection label (in German). Two rows of fine yellow beads adorn the neck. These two sculptures embodied the protective forces of the lineage within the Byeri cult. Mounted atop bark boxes containing the relics (skulls and bones) of illustrious ancestors, they preserved and protected the family treasure. Dimensions: 44 cm. Condition: Wear and tear; a crack in the right arm and a missing section on the right buttock. Research and documentation: Coryse Mwape – Art historian specializing in ancient African art. Internal ref.: 315 + 1200