Mask - Raphia, Wood - Ngontang - Fang - Gabon - 30.5 cm

Helm Ngontang from the Fang ethnic group from South Cameroon and North Gabon. Mask / helmet / helmet with four faces in polychromy, brown pigments and kaolin still present. Helmet masks with multiple faces (between two and six) , like this one, existed and still exist among the Fang tribes (Bulu, Ntumu, Betsi etc.) and among the Kwele, in North Gabon, South Cameroon and Congo. . They are called "Ngontang" among the Fang and "Ngontangang" among the Kwele. Both terms mean "young white woman". It is believed that dances with this type of mask protect against witchcraft. This helmet comes out during celebrations, funerals, births or on the occasion of an important decision within the village. It represents a female spirit. This wooden mask has its entire raffia headdress underneath the mask. Good condition, very present polychromy, finesse of the 4 faces, substantial raffia. See photos for details. Dimensions: H: 30. 5 cm. Excluding raffia, W: 24 cm L: 33 cm Weight: 2. 4 kg Age: 2nd half of the 20th century Comes from a French collection. A private collector from Lyon, I am selling part of my first art collection.