Early Mahongwe Kota reliquary figure. the variety of exquisite beaded

the variety of exquisite beaded clothing and regalia

They are a species that pairs for life and have been recorded living up to 41 years

The lower jaw is attached to the upper

It is an old beaded drinking vessel made from leather and wood

Each king commissioned his own bwaantshy after his enthronement and was buried in it when he died (Cornet

Early Mahongwe Kota reliquary figure. the variety of exquisite beadedStunning early Mahongwe Kota reliquary figure. This figure came from the collection of a deceased collector in Antwerp. It was originally acquired in Gabon around 1940. It stands 50cm high. The top of the figure is banded with copper strips as is the neck. The copper shows great patination and colour gained over many years of use and handling. There also appear to be the remains of what looks like white kaolin type paint which may originally have been