Head sculpture · Gabon, Tsogho · ID: 3041842
not available anymore
Provenance
French Private CollectionSize
H: 20,5 cm
H: 8.1 inch
Description
light and soft wood, black paint, red pigment, remains of kaolin, prominent eyes with mirror glass inlay and painted pupils, coiffure in several lobes, rising from long neck, slightly dam. (ears), traces of insect caused damage, base;
presumably coming from a reliquary ensemble. Like most ethnic groups in Gabon, the Tsogho venerate their ancestors by focusing on the remains of them, which are kept in a basket and surmounted by a half figure or a head as guardian of the reliquaries.
Publications
Jean David, Gabon, Zurich 2005, p. 167AHDRC: 0139826