Lot A21 - Mahongwe Reliquary Guardian

Mahongwe Reliquary Guardian (Boho-na-Bwete)

Gabon, West Central Africa
Wood, brass and copper sheathing, wrapped copper wire
Height: 52.5 cm

An exceptional example of Mahongwe (Northern Kota) artistry from Gabon, this reliquary guardian figure, known as a boho-na-bwete, was traditionally placed atop bark containers holding ancestral relics. Serving both as protector and spiritual intermediary, such figures honored lineage ancestors while safeguarding sacred remains.

The sculpture features a hand-carved wooden core encased in a sophisticated arrangement of hammered copper and brass strips. The iconic concave, leaf-shaped face is articulated with parallel metal wiring, prominent central boss-like eyes, and a vertical ridge forming the nose. This radical abstraction creates the luminous, otherworldly presence associated with the Bwete cult and Mahongwe reliquary traditions.

The refined lozenge-shaped base and meticulous metal cladding reflect the traditional Gabonese aesthetic in which the shimmering play of light across polished metal surfaces symbolized ancestral power and spiritual vitality. The overall vertical composition gives the figure both architectural elegance and ritual authority, making it a striking and culturally significant example of Central African art.