Reliquary Guardian Figure

Artist Kota peoples (Gabonese)

CultureAfrican | Kota

DateEarly- mid-20th century

MediumWood | Brass | Copper

DimensionsOverall: 19 in. (48.3 cm)

Credit LineGift of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr.

Object number71.2402

Collections

African Art

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, Gallery 110

DescriptionReliquary figure made of wood, brass, and copper, by the Kota, an ethnic group in Gabon.

Label TextReliquary Guardian Figures (Mbulu Ngulu) Early- to mid-20th century Kota peoples Gabon Wood, brass, and copper Gifts of Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. 71.2404, 71.2402 respectively Traditionally, the bones of Kota ancestors would be preserved in a basket topped with a carved figure such as one of these two mbulu ngulu. This reliquary, the combined basket and statue, represents the point where the afterlife meets the world of the living, and they are regarded as portals for communication with the deceased.