Masque anthropomorphe - Wood - Gabon - Mid 20th century

Okuyi anthropomorphic mask Punu culture, southern Gabon. Second half of the 20th century. Wood and pigments. Height: 33 - Length: 20 - Thickness: 12 cm Sold with a stand. It presents itself in the form of an apparent tranquility. Its oval face is pigmented with white - made with kaolin. The eyes are thin half-moon incisions enhanced by brown eyebrow arches. The fine nose, ears in relief are carved on the temples, lips, individualised from each other, are hemmed. The hairstyle is multi-lobed and incised with fine streaks, returning braided hair of the Punus. On the lower part, at the chin, a recess in the wood looks like a ring. They allow the maintenance of tissue or vegetable fibres, which were used to conceal the body of the wearer. This type of mask is called Okuyi, which can also be found in the regions known as Mukuyi or Mukudji. It refers to the figures of ancestors.