Reliquary head (?)
Gabon
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1976)Eduard Hess, Oberwil, Switzerland
Taille
H: 16,5 cm
H: 6.5 inch
Description
light brown wood, kaolin, black paint, continous hole in the head, pierced chin area, min. dam., fine cracks, traces of abrasion;
presumably coming from a reliquary ensemble. Most ethnic groups in Gabon 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.