Ancestor Figure – Wood – Fang Okak – Gabon

Powerfull and authentic Fang Okak figure form Gabon.

The Fang peoples of Gabon believed that ancestral relics held great spiritual power. Byeri was a Fang association devoted to the veneration of lineage ancestors and founders, leaders, and fertile women who made significant contributions to society during their lifetime. After death, their relics, particularly the skull, were conserved in cylindrical bark containers and guarded by carved wooden heads or figures mounted atop the receptacles.

The lustrous black surface of this carved female figure still glistens from repeated applications of palm oil used for ritual purification. The sculptor shaped this figure to illustrate the ability to hold opposites in balance, a quality admired by the Fang. He juxtaposed the large head of an infant with the developed body of an adult. The static pose and expressionless face contrast with the palpable tension of the bulging muscles and the projecting forms of the arms, legs, and breasts. These reliquary sculptures may be male or female and are not considered portraits of the deceased. They were often decorated with gifts of jewelry or feathers and received ritual offerings of libations, such as palm oil.

Powerful appearance with beautiful old aged patina. Including custom made stand.

Object:	Ancestor Figure
Ethnic group:	Fang Okak
Country:	Gabon
Material:	Wood
Period:	Mid 20th century
Sold with stand:	Yes
Dimensions:	53x15x13 cm
Weight:	3600 gram
Condition:	Good condition, used with some signs of wear