Reliquary Basket - Fang Tribe - Gabon - Ex SMA Museum

Description

Reliquary basket (Mbumba bwete) - Fang Tribe - Gabon. Condition is Used. I purchased this basket at an auction of the SMA museum where it sold some of it's masks and other ethnic items. This is not a tribally used basket that would be worth tens of thousands of dollars. I suspect it was made to be sold and I am listing it at an attractive price. There is a skull(monkey?) and horn (goat?) in the basket as well as a reliquary figure. The basket has a separate woven base that is about 6" diameter and 3.75" tall. The basket itself has an 11.5" diameter. The dimensions of the wooden figure which is mostly covered with metal is 15" x 6" x 2". This would make a very interesting and unique addition to an African Art Collection. I am reducing my collection of African masks and will have additional listings over the coming weeks.