Bakota Reliquary Guardian 12

The Bakota people once placed these reliquary guardians, called Mbulu Ngulu, atop baskets containing the bones of revered ancestors to guard those remains. Reliquary guardians are carved of wood then covered with woven strips of copper and brass, and sheets hammered of copper and brass. This Bakota reliquary guardian measures 20.5 inches tall, 9.5 inches wide.