Inv. no. 2916
Kota figures, such as this, were guardian figures attached to the top of reliquary boxes to protect the ancestor from spiritual harm. Artists used disparate materials to impart spirituality, power and wealth.
This figure is a very rare Janus form. Such figures represent less than 1% of all Kota known examples. The Janus statues are typically older and socially more important than single faced examples. The present figure is also interesting in that one side has a Bombe or protruding forehead representing a masculine face, with the reverse having a more typical concave presentation and representing a female - in combination the duality of humanity. The eyes on both sides are inset with rounded iron and brass nail heads, giving yet another dimension to the sculpture’s presence.
The sculpture was in the Octave Salembier Collection in France in the late 19th century and displayed in his house at Charleville-Mezieres. Almost his entire collection disappeared in World War One apart from this and one other reliquary figure that were retained by his family.