This mask was carved in the style of the Punu people of Gabon. The mask has depicts a beautifully carved face with a serene expression, small slits for eyes and an intricately carved coiffure with a bird figure in the middle. It measures 13.5 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds. The mask has minor imperfections including some damage to the back right of the mask and cracking, scrapes and scuffs – please see photos. Stand is not included.
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Punu Mask 13.5″ – Gabon – African Tribal Art
Original price was: $150.00.$75.00Current price is: $75.00.
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| Type of Object | Face Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Gabon |
| Ethnicity | Punu |
| Material | Wood, pigment, metal tacks |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 13.5" |
| Width (Inches) | 8" |
| Depth (Inches) | 5'' |
| Weight (Pounds) | 2 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Missing piece from back of mask, see photos |
Tribe Information
About the Punu People
“The Punu reside on the left bank of the Upper Ngoume River and belong to a group of tribes known as Shira which were originally part of the Luango kingdom of Angola with the Eshira, the Lumbo, the Vili, the Galoa and the Vungu people, the Punu migrated northwards during the 18th century and settled where they are now. They live in independent villages divided into clans and families and social cohesion is ensured by a society known as Moukouji, whose primary role is to subjugate harmful forest spirits. During ceremonies related to the society, small statues and masks appear which are often covered in white pigments alluding to their anti-witchcraft functions.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.