Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri) songdynasty This rare artifact offers a

This rare artifact offers a unique glimpse into the daily life and craftsmanship that supported the empire’s success

whose collecting expedition in the region brought global attention to Asmat art and culture

Miniature models such as this one were often placed in tombs as symbolic offerings

Section 12)

Families honor them with prayers and offerings of millet beer (lwanga) and cattle dung

Fang Reliquary Guardian Figure (Eyema-o-Byeri) songdynasty This rare artifact offers aFang people, early 20th century, Cameroon or Northern Gabon, Central Africa Magnificent old male ancestor figure, eyema o byeri (also biyema biyeri or nlo byeri), carved from a single piece of hardwood and originally mounted atop a cylindrical bark reliquary. Shown in a lightly flexed stance, the figure subtly shifts its weight to the proper right, a remnant of its earlier conception as a seated formevident in the abbreviated, powerful thighs