Tribal African Art - Statue De Reliquaire Fang Byeri

Ex-collection of French African tribal art, the name of this prestigious collector will be communicated to the buyer.

Byeri Fang ancestor sculpture. Matt black patina and erosions.
The African tribal art of the Byeri cult is characterized by a variety of anthropomorphic sculptures that play the role of "guardians" and represent the ancestor.
Among the Fang people of Cameroon and Gabon, each family owns a "Byeri" or reliquary box, in which the bones of illustrious ancestors are kept. Traditionally, these boxes were kept by the oldest member of the village, known as the "esa". The reliquary boxes were surmounted by statues or heads that acted as guardians of the "byeri" boxes, bearing the name of the cult with which they were associated. These boxes were carefully placed in a dark corner of the hut and were intended to divert harmful influences to other people.
They were also used during initiation ceremonies for young members of the "So" society. During festivities, the statues were removed from their boxes and carried in procession, held by the posterior peduncle. (Source: "Fang" by Perrois)


Piece accompanied by its certificate of authenticity.
PS: What is the certificate of authenticity? https://www.african-arts-gallery.com/faq.aspx?qid=8

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