SANGO JANUS RELIQUARY GUARDIAN 11

Photographs © Tim Hamill

SANGO, JANUS RELIQUARY GUARDIAN FIGURE 11, 18", $800, Gabon

These figures, smaller and less familiar than Bakota and Mahongwe religuary guardians, were usually placed in basketry containers holding relics of important clan ancestors. Sheathed in metal (brass or copper), the figures are abstracted into a diamond shape below the neck. The five with raffia are in the basketry containers (see photo detail from No. 11). They include small animal skulls, horns and shells. This one has two small horns.

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