KOTA MAHONGWE grave statue from Gabon, 2nd half of the 20th century

Beautiful Kota Mahongwe grave statue from Gabon.

The base is made of wood. The front is largely covered with red and yellow copper. As decoration, the edges are decorated with varied geometric patterns. The eyes are convex and stand out. The elegant back, which is made of wood, is striking. A very nice copy! The really used ones go for a price of over € 10,000. Sometimes 60,000 and more. The statue is neatly placed on a base.

Length: 47.5 cm, including base approx. 51 cm
Weight: 934 grams
Origin: Gabon
Dating: 2nd half of the 20th century

Below some more information about Kota Mahongwe images:

A Kota Mahongwe funerary statue, originating from Gabon (Central Africa), served as a protector of the ancestral relics kept in baskets. These statues are often abstract and stylized, with an oval face and geometric patterns in brass or copper, symbolizing power and spirituality. The shiny metal served not only as decoration, but also to ward off evil spirits. The statues represent ancestors who are seen as mediators between the living and the spirit world. They were used in ritual contexts, often within the context of ancestor worship by the Bwete society. Their stylized form emphasizes the spiritual character over the realistic. The large eyes symbolize vigilance and protection. They were placed on top of reliquaries containing human remains. The statue was a physical and spiritual shield for the community. In this way the work of art unites religious, social and aesthetic functions.