Early Mahongwe Kota reliquary figure. There is only one hole

There is only one hole in the bottom of the egg through which the contents must have been removed and this was roughly chipped out as can be seen from the photo

These relics

It is believed that the bones of the deceased were imbued with the power that the ancestor had during their lifetime

These are made by the Bena Bena people of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea

During public ceremonies

Early Mahongwe Kota reliquary figure. There is only one holeStunning 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