Lot 0331

20th C. African Wood Reliquary Figure Mbulu Ngulu

Similar Sale History

Sold

Kota artist, Mbulu Ngulu (reliquary figure): Kota artist Mbulu Ngulu (reliquary figure) Gabon, c. 1940carved wood, metal, brass 15 h × 6 w × 2.5 d in (38 × 15 × 6 cm) Provenance: African Image Gal

2021Kota artist, Mbulu Ngulu (reliquary figure)See Sold Price

Sold

Ex-Segy Kota Reliquary Figure: 35 Ex-Segy Kota Reliquary Figure Kota, Gabun H 35 cm. Bakota Mbulu Ngulu reliquary figure, Gabon, carved of wood and covered with sheets of copper and brass. Fan-shaped head with embellishments, wrapp

2017Ex-Segy Kota Reliquary FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

African Art Kota Reliquary Figure: Kota Gabon Mbulu-ngulu Reliquary Figure, circa early 20th Century. Copper banded figure with protruding eyes and nose. Design on copper base, wood footing. Dimensions: 15" H; Weight: 2 lb. Provenance:

2016African Art Kota Reliquary FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

Kota Mbulu Ngulu reliquary figure - Gabon - African Art Tribal Art: Title: Kota Mbulu Ngulu reliquary figure - Gabon - African Art Tribal Art Item Category: Reliquary, figure, statue Alleged Seniority: Second half 20th century Origin: Gabon Materials: Wood, metal Dime

2022Kota Mbulu Ngulu reliquary figure - Gabon - African Art Tribal ArtSee Sold Price

Sold

Kota Reliquary Figure: Wood carved guardian figure ("mbulu ngulu") with brass overlay created by the Kota people of Gabon to stand watch over ancestral relics. Measures 25" x 18" (at the widest point) and is in very good co

2023Kota Reliquary FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

19th C. African Kota Brass / Wood Reliquary Figure: Central Africa, Gabon, Kota peoples, Mahongwe group, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. An interesting finial of an abstract anthropomorphic figure skillfully carved from wood and almost complete

202119th C. African Kota Brass / Wood Reliquary FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu) Kota People: The Kota used reliquary guardian figures to protect and identify the revered bones of family ancestors. The Kota believed that the relics of important men and women retain power after death, providing

2023Reliquary Guardian Figure (Mbulu Ngulu) Kota PeopleSee Sold Price

Sold

A KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE: Reliquiar-Figur, "mbulu-ngulu" Kota, Gabun Gesockelt / with custom base Holz, Bronze, Kupfer. H 51 cm. Provenienz: - Galerie Maria Wyss, Basel. - Roger Budin (19128-2005), Genf. Die zweidimensionale K

2019A KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURESee Sold Price

Sold

Rare 20th C. African Fang Wood Figure w/ Iron Eyes: Central Africa, Cameroon/Gabon/Equatorial Guinea, Fang people (also Fan or Pahouin), ca. mid-20th century CE. A rare and beautifully patinated example of a byeri, a reliquary figure of an abstract for

2022Rare 20th C. African Fang Wood Figure w/ Iron EyesSee Sold Price

Sold

20th C. African Yoruba Wood, Bead, & Textile Figure: **Originally Listed At $500** West Africa, Nigeria, Yoruba people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive and intricate ceremonial reliquary figure carved from wood and ornamented in glass be

202220th C. African Yoruba Wood, Bead, & Textile FigureSee Sold Price

Sold

Three Kota Reliquary Figures: Mbutu Ngulu type figures with wide coiffures and openwork diamond shaped supports, sheet copper over wood. Kota reliquary figures are placed as guardians with their posts embedded in baskets containin

2022Three Kota Reliquary FiguresSee Sold Price

Sold

Three Kota Reliquary Figures: Mbutu Ngulu type figures with wide coiffures and openwork diamond shaped supports, sheet copper and copper wire over wood. Kota reliquary figures are placed as guardians with their posts embedded in b

2022Three Kota Reliquary FiguresSee Sold Price

Sold

2022Three Kota Reliquary FiguresSee Sold Price

Sold

2022Three Kota Reliquary FiguresSee Sold Price

Sold

Kota carved wood and brass reliquary figure: Kota carved wood and brass reliquary figure, 20th c., 23"h x 6"w x 8"d

2016Kota carved wood and brass reliquary figureSee Sold Price

Sold

Bakota Reliquary Guardian Carved Figure, Gabon, Africa: Kota (Bakota) Reliquary guardian hand-carved figure MBULA NGULU from Gabon, Africa. Carved wood overlaid with hammered copper and brass sheets in repousse. Approximate dimensions: H: 38 1/4 in., W: 15

2020Bakota Reliquary Guardian Carved Figure, Gabon, AfricaSee Sold Price

Recommended Items

KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 23 cm: KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 23 cm

Jun 25, 2024KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 23 cm

€750

KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 20 cm: KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 20 cm

Jun 25, 2024KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 20 cm

€400

KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 21cm: KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 21cm

Jun 25, 2024KOTA RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood, copper, and brass, iron H: 21cm

€750

19th C. African Benin Wood Oba Staff (Carried by Royalty): West Africa, southern Nigeria, Benin Kingdom, Edo peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A beautiful and antique wood Oba staff that was carried by a high status person and intended to memorialize an Oba (king

2 days Left19th C. African Benin Wood Oba Staff (Carried by Royalty)

$1,000

FANG RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood and copper H: 36 cm: FANG RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood and copper H: 36 cm

Jun 25, 2024FANG RELIQUARY FIGURE Gabon Wood and copper H: 36 cm

€500

Huge Bakota Wood and Metal Sculpture with Stand 44.5"in.High.: Huge African Kota / Bakota wood and metal sculpture from Gabon with black custom wooden stand .This large reliquary mask was crafted hammering a metal leaf (brass or copper) over the sculpture wooden

2 days LeftHuge Bakota Wood and Metal Sculpture with Stand 44.5"in.High.

$495

CENTRAL AFRICAN KOTA OBAMBA RELIQUARY FIGURINE: A Central African Kota mixed media reliquary figure from the Obamba ethnic group, the Congo region. Made of wood, brass, copper, leather strings, nails. The figure is adorned with a face under a trape

3 days LeftCENTRAL AFRICAN KOTA OBAMBA RELIQUARY FIGURINE

$10

+SCULPTURE: 20th C. Benin bronze metal sculpture, depicting a female figure holding child, dressed: +SCULPTURE: 20th C. Benin bronze metal sculpture, depicting a female figure holding child, dressed in traditional clothes of the Benin culture, attached to wood display stand, sculpture: 30" h x 5 3/4

5 days Left+SCULPTURE: 20th C. Benin bronze metal sculpture, depicting a female figure holding child, dressed

$175

Ngbaka Carved Wood Female Figure: Ngbaka Carved Wood Female Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo, with inset shell eyes. 8.75" H x 3.5" W x 3.5" D. Provenance: From a New York City Collection. Keywords: African Art, Tribal Art, Artifa

Jun 18, 2024Ngbaka Carved Wood Female Figure

$50

African Dowayo Cameroon Reliquary? Basket / Container.: African Dowayo Cameroon Reliquary? Basket / Container. Vegetal fiber, leather, glass, seeds, cowrie shells, horns, iron, wood cloth. It measures 16 1/2 inches maximum width, 18 1/4 inches maximum heig

Jun 16, 2024African Dowayo Cameroon Reliquary? Basket / Container.

$200

African Ghana, Fertility Wood Doll, Cote d'Ivoire Baule Wood Female figure.: African Ghana, Fertility Wood Doll, Cote d'Ivoire Baule Wood Female figure. Size 10 1/4 - 13 1/4 inches high. Carved wood Idol with trade beads together with a standing female figure. Provenance: EX:

Jun 16, 2024African Ghana, Fertility Wood Doll, Cote d'Ivoire Baule Wood Female figure.

$10

Central African Wood Maternity Figure: Central African Wood Maternity Figure The seated mother with child. Height 16 in., Width 4.5 in., Depth 5 in. Provenance: Formerly the Property of Lynn University Gift of Arthur B. Steinman, 2000

Jul 18, 2024Central African Wood Maternity Figure

$150

A group of six African Tribal figures and masks: A group of six African Tribal figures and masksComprising a Yoruba carved wood reproduction of a female figure, a Songye carved wood male figure, a Makonde stone bust, a Baule carved wood colonial fig

7 days LeftA group of six African Tribal figures and masks

$100

CENTRAL AFRICAN GABON LUMBOH FETISH RELIQUARY FIGURE: A Central African mixed media Nail Fetish figurine from the Lumboh, the Congo region. The figurine is adorned with a red pigment, a tall braided hairstyle, and a massive lower part. This object holds

3 days LeftCENTRAL AFRICAN GABON LUMBOH FETISH RELIQUARY FIGURE

$10

African Baule Male Figure Wood Sculpture: African Baule Male Figure Wood Sculpture. 33" H x 8.5 Diameter. Provenance: From a New York City Collection. Keywords: Tribal Art, Artifact, Figural, Ivory Coast, Statue

Jun 18, 2024African Baule Male Figure Wood Sculpture

$50

An antique Southeast Asian gilt wood monk figure, 19th c.: A southeast Asian (likely Thai) standing monk or Buddha figure. Traces of gilding remain with cinnabar ground beneath. Holding an alms bowl. 12.25" tall

4 days LeftAn antique Southeast Asian gilt wood monk figure, 19th c.

$50

20th C. African Wood Reliquary Figure Mbulu Ngulu

Item Details

Description

**Originally Listed At $1500**

Central Africa, Gabon, Kota peoples, Mahongwe group, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fascinating reliquary figure known as an mbulu ngulu, hand-carved from wood to present a stylized visage with an elaborate headdress, all enveloped in a creamy white pigment. The teardrop-shaped head rests atop a lengthy, bulbous neck on a discoid base with 4 downward pointing spikes, presumably for attachment to funerary bundles. The evocative countenance gazes forward, presenting slender eyes beneath an arched brow, a triangular nose, a narrow chin, and an open mouth with 1 row of square teeth. A crescent-shaped adornment crowns the headdress, which surrounds the head with a rounded top and an undulating lower periphery. Size: 5.6" W x 15.2" H (14.2 cm x 38.6 cm); 16.3" H (41.4 cm) on included custom stand.

According to the Saint Louis Art Museum, "It is thought that the figurative form of the mbulu ngulu was intended to reinforce and communicate the reliquary's intense power. The Kota used reliquary guardian figures to protect and identify the revered bones of family ancestors. The Kota believed that the relics of important men and women retain power after death, providing protection and good fortune to an individual's descendants. The remains were preserved in containers made of bark or basketry. The mbulu ngulu stood atop this bundle, bound to it at the figure's lozenge-shaped base."

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-private California, USA collection; ex Heritage Auctions

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#172457

Condition

Losses to proper right side of base and right front and back spikes. Minor chip to nose. Some expected abrasions and stable hairline fissures. Otherwise, excellent with liberal remains of pigment.