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Fang Old Byeri Reliquary Figure Antique African Statue
An Important Old Mabea Fang Byeri Reliquary Figure Ancestor Statue Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Coastal Equatorial Guinea
Collected from the: Mabea Fang peoples of the coastal southern Cameroon to Equatorial Guinea Material: Carved wood, pigmented oil, custom wood stand Period: Very early 20th century Dimensions: 14" total height: 12.5" height, 3" width, 3" depth on 4" x 4.25" base Weight: 11 ounce figure or 1.25 pounds w/ stand Condition: Exquisite! This important, museum quality Mabea Fang specimen hails from a prestigious Houston collection. Superb signs of age and authentic wear from extensive tribal use, minor age cracks and nicks test stable, wear-exposed wood displays significant patination. Fine encrustation over ritually oiled patina, anticipated accumulated minute residue of a long and cherished life. Burnished ever-so-slightly oily surface condition at edges of peaked coiffure, cheekbones, shoulders and outer arms - exactly where human hands would have held the piece - suggest frequent tribal handling. Clearly an esteemed early ancestor figure, make special note of the distinctive facial expression and superior surface condition - an absolutely stunning example of Fang art !
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Fang Byeri Reliquary Figure Sculpture Traditions and Uses The Fang practiced ancestor worship throughout their territories in Gabon and Cameroon and jealously guarded the relics of important ancestors - skulls, long bones, and even fragments of bone and teeth. The important dead of the village used to be buried right beside the house, or even in the bedroom of the head of the family, as protection against witchcraft and the theft of human relics. These family relics were "lifted" several months after the important person's death, carefully prepared (cleaned and dried) and sometimes decorated with copper incrustations, then encased in the bark reliquary baskets. The relics were periodically removed from the baskets, honored with applications of a red paste created from padauk powder mixed with oil, and shown to young males during their initiation rituals. The Fang placed wooden figures on top of the baskets to guard the relics of their ancestors; sometimes just heads on a long stalk which was thrust through the basket, or full-length statuettes, either seated on the edge of the basket or standing figures attached directly to the lid. Some byeri sculptures contained magic powers hidden behind the eyes, which were incrusted with copper or pieces of mirror. Sometimes fragments of bone or teeth, especially molars, were added to the byeri guardian figures. Entrusted to the head of the family, who kept it in a dark corner of the his home, the byeri gave rise to particular rituals in the privacy of the family, or even to secret deviancy related to witchcraft, and much was required of the family's ancestors, through the relics of the byeri: good fortune, the fecundity of the women, a successful hunt, and wealth. Many of the Fang reliquary figures feature applied metal adornments such as arm and ankle jewelry and disc shaped eyes which sometimes conceal tooth relics or bone fragments. The figures vary greatly in style as the Fang occupy such a large geographical area that numerous sub-styles have emerged, with two main stylistic groups of the northern and the southern, each of which has three sub-styles. The Mabea Fang, who inhabited areas from the coastal region of southern Cameroon to the coast of Equatorial Guinea, carved subtly modeled reliquary figures. Naturalistic body proportions featured elongated arms, coffee-bean eyes, hollowed cheeks and mouths parted to reveal prominent teeth which were sometimes filed to a sharp point. Their distinctive, elaborate coiffures depicted two highly peaked side crests centrally divided by a third row of plaiting or other adornment. Mabea statues were known and collected slightly before the other Fang sub-styles because they were near the coast, which had been occupied by Europeans since the seventeenth century. Mabea style statues were highly expressive, sometimes almost "dramatic".
Information and History on the Fang Tribal Peoples of Gabon Numbering around 400,000, the Fang form the largest ethnic group in Gabon, where they settled north of the Ogowe River in the 19th century. A militarily superior people, they drove out or assimilated a number of other tribes who had previously inhabited the region. The Fang were traditionally hunters and farmers whose ironwork achieved an extremely high level of craftsmanship - the Fang were using copper and iron bars as currency even in pre-colonial times. Historically, the Fang have never had a controlling central political body; village chiefs and council of elders governed village life. Secret associations, such as the all male Ngil and So societies also played important social and religious roles. Animist beliefs impregnated Fang life and thought, underlying all their rites and giving insight into the meaning of their symbols. The masks and cult objects used by members of the Ngil and So societies are among the most sought after works of African art and had an enormous influence on European art over the past century. Also well known in the art world are the Fang's reliquary guardian figures which decorated cylindrical containers made of tree bark - known as Bieri or Byeri - which held the skulls of the dead. The Fang had a very particular, familiar relationship with death, devoid of any morbid fear. Skulls were considered to be the receptacle of vital strength, whether they were the skulls of direct kin or of enemies who had been killed in battle or captured and sacrificed; some were even stolen from neighboring groups. However, only the skulls of ancestors of the lineage were kept in the bark reliquaries and guarded by anthropomorphic figures. According to Fang informants, elders were not particularly respected, except for a few people with significant magic powers, and the skulls in the nsekh byeri (bark reliquary baskets) usually belonged to men who had died in battle (for example) during the prime of their life, rather than decrepit old men. Traditionally, in a group with at least two generations, the eldest surviving member became a mvam, or ancestor. The byeri were an important part of Fang ancestor worship which were painted with oil and blood and offered food during cult ceremonies. Such ancestor worship, generally known as byeri, was practiced by all Fang groups from Cameroon to Gabon.
Recommended Reading:Gabon, Eternal Ancestors and Visions of Africa: Fang for an in depth account of this fascinating form.
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Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
The buyer is responsible for return shipping costs.
We're delighted to combine shipments and reduce your costs, simply email your Zip/Postal Code PRIOR to making payment. All major credit cards and PayPal are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
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