African Art - Ambete Reliquary Statue (No. 16332) - ethnic decoration

Ex-german collection accompanied by its certificate of authenticity. Ethnic group: ambete country: gabon estimated date: mid-20th century ancestor statues in the african art of the mbede, mbete, or ambete the ancestor cult, among the mbete, is accompanied by these statues whose dorsal cavity frequently plays the role of a reliquary. This statue which was placed above the reliquary does not have a cavity for this purpose. The face has the characteristic physiognomy, offering narrow half-closed eyelids, a triangular nose, a mouth revealing the teeth. The hairstyle is organized into several crests. Attached to the tubular bust, the arms in relief are folded at right angles. Patina of kaolin and use of red ochre shades. The mbete form a tribe of gabon, on the border of middle congo, neighboring the obamba, whose history has been marked by a long-term conflict against the teke. They do not have a centralized political organization and practice ancestor worship.