Two West African Objects

Mid- to late 20th century, the first a Kota Mahongwe (Republic of Congo) bwete reliquary guardian figure, mixed metal wrapping carved wood core, meant to be placed on top of reliquary containers (11 x 6 1/4 x 2 1/2 in.); the second an Ashanti (Ghana) female duafe comb, carved wood with applied beads to cheeks and eyelids, decorative inlaid stone crown, and cowrie bead to top of head, with carved animal motifs to posterior, mounted with wire and hole to posterior for wall display (24 1/4 x 7 1/4 x 3 in.).

From the Collection of Mignon Durham, Asheville, North Carolina

Overall rusting and oxidation from outdoor display to reliquary figure with some looseness to wire wrapping at top and cracking visible to wood at underside; a few very small areas of bead loss to comb and a few smoothed nicks to teeth.