KOTA, GABON

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Until the middle of the twentieth century, clans across equatorial Africa preserved the memories and spirits of revered ancestors through reliquaries that held the skulls of the renowned and distinguished. Elders of the widespread ancestor cult (most widely known as bwiti or bwete among Kota peoples in areas now belonging to Gabon and the Republic of Congo) commissioned the creation of abstract figural sculptures (mbulu ngulu) that stood atop baskets or bark containers that housed these precious relics. Produced in a variety of styles, they were affixed to the lid of the reliquary container or lashed to a relic bundle placed inside. On a superficial level they acted as the public face of familial altars, but they served a much more complex and important role as agents of ancestral power in communal rites and ritual performances, channeling support and protection to the community.

This magnificent example shows classic, elegant shapes and a resplendent aura. The convex face plate identifies this as a female figure. Mild, crescent-shaped eyes and an open mouth present a benevolent mien that communicates welcoming assurance. Extensive hatching in the center and around the borders activates and unifies the segmented brass surfaces. Beneath the head, a short neck connects to a diamond-shaped openwork base, all similarly adorned with impressed designs. The metal sheets that jacket the figure were sourced from European traders and would originally have shone with great brilliance.