Punu Tsanghi Mask, Gabon

okuy
height 10 3/4in (27.3cm)

Provenance
Purportedly given to Gertrude Stein by Pablo Picasso
George Gershwin Collection, New York
Arman Collection, New York
Aguedo Hernandez Herrero Collection, Mexico City
Thence by descent

This okuy mask is carved from light wood in an overall rounded composition with fully defined facial features, including bulbous coffee-bean eyes, high rounded forehead and full lips; a coiffure with a central, high-crested coiffure with incised linear decoration running horizontally from front to back; varied light and dark brown patina with wear indicative of significant cultural use.