A FINE FANG MALE RELIQUARY FIGURE, nlo byéri, the eyes as metal insets beneath a shallow brow and domed forehead, a third metal inset beneath the prognathous jaw, the coiffure with high grooved median crest tapered to form the centre of the panel over the nape of the neck, the hole at the top retaining a long loop of split cane, a carved ring about the neck, the plump arms carved free of the body (both hands and right forearm deficient), a series of impressed small circles flank the chest, down each side of the back and at the top of the insertion stick, with plump well-rounded buttocks and calves (part of the penis and left foot deficient)

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A FINE FANG MALE RELIQUARY FIGURE, nlo byéri, the eyes as metal insets beneath a shallow brow and domed forehead, a third metal inset beneath the prognathous jaw, the coiffure with high grooved median crest tapered to form the centre of the panel over the nape of the neck, the hole at the top retaining a long loop of split cane, a carved ring about the neck, the plump arms carved free of the body (both hands and right forearm deficient), a series of impressed small circles flank the chest, down each side of the back and at the top of the insertion stick, with plump well-rounded buttocks and calves (part of the penis and left foot deficient)
47cm. high

Lot Essay

We have chosen to illustrate this fine figure without the beaded and cloth panels, which are used to hide its sexual deficiency, in order to show the plump curves of the buttocks and thighs. It is impossible to find a parallel to our figure in the exhaustive study made by Perrios in 1971, but we think that it is likely to come from Equatorial Guinea. A figure in the Osorio collection, Madrid, also has the unusual carved neckring, which imitates the heavy metal collars worn by men of the Fang (Perrois, 1972, p.288, fig.212); some figures from that region have the long single fall of hair over the nape of the neck to well below the shoulder line.

The row of four impressed circles each side of the breast is unusual. A suggestion that they may be the impressions of pegs formerly retaining a label must be discounted, because they are repeated on the back, where their decorative role is unmistakable.

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