Items Similar to African Gabon Kota Mahongwe Hongwe Bwete Reliquary Guardian Figure Sculpture
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 21
African Gabon Kota Mahongwe Hongwe Bwete Reliquary Guardian Figure Sculpture
$3,250
£2,466.03
€2,819.68
CA$4,539.37
A$5,047.16
CHF 2,635.35
MX$61,436.23
NOK 33,625.90
SEK 31,505.86
DKK 21,043.79
About the Item
A truly fantastic, engaging, and uniquely made African Kota Mahongwe Hongwe Reliquary Guardian Figure/ Sculpture made by the Kota (Bakota) peoples who inhabit the northeastern region of Gabon. Kota Reliquary figures resemble human forms reduced to their most basic flattened geometrical elements and are made from carved wood accented with hammered brass (often taken from imported Europen dishes) and coiled copper. They are often placed in wickerwork baskets (often with two figures on top of the basket, one bigger and one smaller) near the gravesites or gathered human remains (Bwete) of venerated family ancestors and tribal leaders to help protect the spirit of the recently deceased from evil and unwanted spirits and to help guide them along their journey through the afterlife. Besides serving as a mystical conduit between the living and the dead, the reliquary figures are also meant to embody intense powers and were commonly used in communal rites and ritual performances. Many of these reliquary works were destroyed, burned, or thrown into lakes by missionaries in the early to mid-20th century to repress the Kota peoples and ancestor cults that made them. As a result, the tribespeople were forced to hide them in secret, often in ancient cemeteries deep in the forest, to protect their rites, practices, and rituals. Today Kota reliquary figures have become nearly iconic in the world of art and are often recognizable by Western viewers.
This piece has a beautiful, organically aged patina acquired naturally over time and use. It is mounted on a custom display stand.
The work was initially acquired by an Archeology professor who built his collection during sojourns to the African continent in the 1950 and 1960s. We believe it dates back to the early to mid-1900s (stated circa 1950 on base) but could be older.
This work would clearly stand out in any African or tribal art collection or be a great eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Dimensions on stand: 28" high, 9" wide, 5.5" deep.
The figure without the stand is approximately: 25" high, 5.25" wide, and 4" deep.
- Dimensions:Height: 28 in (71.12 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:Gabon
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Early to Mid-1900s
- Condition:In very good vintage condition with natural organic wear consistent with age and use (please see photos). Spectacular and special overall.
- Seller Location:Studio City, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU2254334078572
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
1stDibs seller since 2016
909 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Studio City, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllAfrican Mumuye Carved Wood Iagalagana Tutelary Figure on Display Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A carved wood Iagalagana figure by the Mumuye Peoples of Nigeria. These figures served as guardians and were often made to ensure the personal protection of their individual owners a...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Vessel / Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a fantastic piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Monumental African Baga Bansonyi Wood Serpent Snake Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A monumental, very tall, quite engaging African Bansonyi serpent snake sculpture/ headdress/ mask by the Baga people who reside along the coast of Guinea Bissau.
The Baga snake...
Category
Mid-20th Century Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Damian Manuhwa Signed African Zimbabwean Shona Abstract Figure Stone Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully executed and designed Shona stone sculpture by renowned African/ Zimbabwean sculptor/artist Damian Manuhwa (1952-2008) who lived and worked in Zimbabwe.
T...
Category
20th Century Zimbabwean Folk Art Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Modernist Female Figural Bronze Sculpture in Style of Sydney Kumalo
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful Mid-Century Modernist Abstract sculpture of a female figure in the style of/attributed to renowned South African sculptor/ artist Sydney Kumalo...
Category
20th Century South African Mid-Century Modern Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
You May Also Like
African Tribal Statue Osseyba or Reliquary Figure Kota Mohongwe Peoples Art
Located in Miami, FL
A fantastically hand-crafted piece by the Kota (or Bakota) tribe who are located in the northeastern region of Gabon. This figure, which is a Mahongwe reliquary figure as exhibited with its truncated almond-shaped face, is made of wound copper, hammered brass and wood. Reliquary figures were used as guardians to protect the revered bones of venerated family ancestors and leaders and ward off unwanted spirits. These figures are meant to embody intense powers and were also commonly used in communal rites and ritual performances.
This particular piece came from an American collector who traveled the African continent and collected African artifacts for over 50 years. This piece has a beautiful, organically aged patina acquired naturally over time and use. It is mounted on a custom wooden display stand. We believe it dates back to the early to mid-1900s but could be older. We are listing as 20th century because we did not have it appraised.
This African Tribal Statue Osseyba or Reliquary Figure Kota (Bakota) Mohongwe Peoples decorative art would clearly stand out as part of a collection or by itself in any setting. Truly unique, eye-catching and engaging.
Dimensions on stand: 25 3/4" High, 7" Wide, 5 1/2" Deep
Kota Reliquary...
Category
Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
"Kota Reliquary Figure Nigeria, " Wood & Copper created circa 1970
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Kota Reliquary Figure Nigeria" is a wood and copper sculpture created in Nigeria circa 1970. A head is made with wide red eyes. Their hair is in...
Category
1970s Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Kota Reliquary Figure Gabon, Christies Provenance
Located in Sharon, CT
Kota Reliquary of classic form. Brass and iron over wood. On an old base, with an old number label. Ex Estate of Willliam Kohler, Christies NY 'Important Tribal Art' Nov 20 1997.
Category
Antique 1890s Gabonese Primitive Tribal Art
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
African Kota People, Gabon Carved, Metal Reliquary Pipe on Stand, 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
African Kota People, Gabon Carved, Metal Reliquary Pipe on Stand, 20th Century
Offered for sale is an African hand-carved wood and hammered metal reliquary pipe on stand from the Ko...
Category
20th Century Gabonese Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel
African Namji Fertility Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Doted on like an actual child, this carved doll was once owned by a young girl among the Namji people of northwest Cameroon. Carted around by its owner wherever she went and lovingly...
Category
Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Bamana Wood Reliquary Guardian Figure West Africa, Mali
Located in Montreal, QC
A Bamana Wood Reliquary Guardian Figure West Africa, Mali
Property from the Estate of Paul B. Dombrowski, Monona, Wisconsin.
Category
Vintage 1970s Malian Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
More Ways To Browse
Brass African
Africa Carving
Tribal African Art Sculpture
Century Reliquary
African Carved Figure
African Tribal Art Figure
Folk Art 1960s Wood Sculpture
African Copper Art
Hand Reliquary
Reliquary Carved
Carved Ancestor Figure
Evil Eye Sculpture
African Hammered Copper
Tribal Guardian Figure
African Reliquary
African Kota
Reliquary Guardian Figure
African Reliquary Figure