Punu mask on a base

Mask originating from Punu culture, in Gabon. The triangular face dominated by a large headdress with a central shell. The balance of finely shaped features - half-closed eyes, slits, arched eyebrows, short nose, mouth with full lips - is accentuated by the grid-like scarification on the forehead. The wear on the kaolin coating (pembé) reveals a light brown wood. Dark red highlights on the lips and forehead scarification, black on the headdress. Masks featuring frontal scarifications like this one are one of the typical variants of white masks from Southern Gabon. Their geographical origin is in the regions of Ngounié and Nyanga, near the border with Congo. These masks, which have a proven ritual use in the region, were called Mukudji and were used during the Mbwanda dances aimed at appeasing the spirits of the deceased, particularly young deceased women. Sold with its metal base. Height on base 54cm.