Maternity

Title of the work: Maternity
Origin: Central Africa (Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Southern Cameroon), Fang people
Date: 20th century
Material: Dark patinated wood
Dimensions: h. 152 x 30 x 20 cm
Function and context: Statues of this type, belonging to the Fang tradition, were often associated with ancestor worship and use in reliquaries (byeri). They served as spiritual mediators, ensuring protection, fertility, and well-being for the community. The circular shape of the face evokes a strong symbolic value, connected to the cyclical nature of life and the relationship with the spirit world.
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