Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure

The itinerant nature of the Fang people of present-day southern Cameroon and northern Gabon brought about the practice of keeping ancestral remains with the family as they move from village to village. The sacred remains were secured in bark boxes known as "bieri" and guarded by a specially carved figure, whose watchful eyes prevented women and uninitiated boys to view the contents. This reliquary guardian once topped a wooden post and beautifully exemplifies the Fang ideals of tranquility and vitality. Tensed muscles enliven the figure’s static stance, while its impassive countenance has an almost hypnotic effect. A keeper of the present and the past, its no wonder this striking figure continues to exert a commanding hold over its surroundings.

Additional Dimensions:
Stand: 6"W x 6"D x 26.5"H