Lot 639

A BaKota ‘mbulu ngulu’ reliquary basket with figure from Gabon. These were carved from wood and covered with brass plates or copper discs. The figures towered over each basket. The lower diamond shape reached into the vessel and was attached. The baskets were only brought out for important whole-village ceremonies. They were opened and their contents – the skulls of their ancestors – were presented, explained and ritually honoured. And so the venerated ancestors took part in the lives of their descendants. H 84 cm with the feathers Swiss collection