5452 - Gabon, a rare Fang reliquary container with a carved wooden head sculpture, late 19th century–early 20th century; a tree-bark cylinder with a wooden circular base and lid, surmounted by a carved wooden head sculpture.

Gabon, a rare Fang reliquary container with a carved wooden head sculpture, late 19th century–early 20th century; a tree-bark cylinder with a wooden circular base and lid, surmounted by a carved wooden head sculpture. Reliquary containers (“nsekh byeri”) are usually crowned by figures (“eyema byeri”), and more rarely by anthropomorphic heads. In Perroi’s opinion, they are even a local phenomenon that occurred only in the southern Fang Betsi area between the Ogooué and the Crystal Mountains. Like the skull fragments and relics found in the bark containers, the heads were periodically rubbed with palm oil, sacrificial blood, or “ba” powder. This was done to establish contact with the ancestors and to obtain help and protection from them. Unlike the “byeri” figures, which were displayed occasionally, these heads remained in the hut of a lineage chief. According to Fang religious belief, “mbere,” the supreme divinity, created the first man, “nzame,” who became the primordial ancestor of all Fang peoples. “Nzame” was the first sculptor and established the “byeri” cult, which worshipped relics of significant ancestors within a specific family lineage, whereby the descendants would receive protection and aid in exchange for offerings and prayers. The officiant of this cult, “esa,” was an elderly man, nearing death and therefore closer to the ancestors. H. 36.5 cm. Provenance: Merton D. Simpson, New York, USA, 1986. AHDRC: 0045796. Lit. von Lintig, Bettina, *African Impressions*, Milan, 2011, p. 153. Schweizer, Heinrich, *Visions of Grace: 100 Masterpieces from the Collection of Daniel and Marian Malcolm*, Milan, 2014, p. 140. [1]