The face of this special Obamba figure is almond-shaped with a pointed chin. It is covered with finely cut, metal strips in both copper and brass. These strips are applied in a diagonal pattern with millimetric precision, forming a sunburst pattern. A distinctive feature is the fine, raised nose, which continues in a vertical ridge up until the top of the face. The round, protruding eyes are made from iron and positioned relatively low on the face. A larger piece of copper covers the lower half of the face, with pierced dots shaping a wide open mouth. The figure features a distinctive crown-shaped crest, which is pierced and decorated with linear dot patterns. A remarkable feature is the second pair of lateral extensions at the top, mirroring the ears placed at the lower half of the face. The neck is covered with metal sheeting decorated with diamond motifs, and a necklace is wrapped around the bottom.

This ancient Obamba statue shows a variety of metalworking techniques: cut, punched, incised, and nailed motifs, all meticulously applied on a thick carved wooden core. The metals show a rich patina, suggesting old age and long ritual use. A reliquary figure from the same artist was collected by the French explorer Aristide Courtois (1883-1962) before 1938 (Christie’s/Millon, Paris-Drouot,15 December 2016, lot 34). Except for the absence of a second pair of lateral projections, this work shares many stylistic features and small unique details such as the thickening of the neck in the middle. Equally, the reverse features a similar thick, tapered vertical ridge pierced with two holes and the lower part of the body is missing due to its old age.

The Obamba began creating reliquary figures centuries ago, and by the early 19th century they embarked on bold innovations, experimenting with new forms and elements while other southern groups like the Ndassa continued to create more classical shapes. This blend of atypicality and innovation defines the Obamba approach, marking a transitional moment where new shapes such as the present emerged.