Reliquary Byeri Head – Wood, Metal – Fang – Gabon

Old Fang Byeri Head from Gabon. Byeri – heads functioned much in the same way as Byeri enyema figures in that they guarded the boxes of bark containing the remains of important ancestors. Such heads are often believed to be even older in origin than the full figures and are seen by some as their forerunners. Good condition with traces of wear and tear. Provenance: former private collection from Germany.