Ngil mask - Fang - Gabon

Height with base: 52 cm

Originating from Gabon, Cameroon, and Equatorial Guinea, the Fang Ngil masks occupy a central place in the culture and spirituality of the Fang people.
These masks, recognizable by their elongated shape, their chalk-white faces and their stylized features, are much more than mere objects of art: they embody moral authority and justice within the community.

Sculpted in a light yet sturdy wood, often balsa or okoumé, Ngil masks are characterized by a concave face, a prominent forehead, and a mouth reduced to a thin line. Their surface is covered with kaolin, a white clay, symbol of purity and of the link to the world of ancestors.
This white patina, contrasting with the dark wood, enhances their spectacular and sacred aspect.
Traditionally, Ngil masks were used during Ngil ceremonies, a secret society responsible for maintaining social order, settling disputes, and punishing alleged witches.

Carried by masked dancers, they appeared at night, illuminated by the glow of torches, to inspire fear and respect. Their role was at once judicial, spiritual, and deterrent, ensuring the cohesion and balance of the community.
The making of an Ngil mask follows a precise ritual: the wood is chosen with care, carved according to strict rules, then covered with kaolin and sometimes with plant fibers or animal skins.
Each mask is unique, bearing the energy and history of those who created and used it.

Today, Fang Ngil masks are recognized for their artistic and ethnographic value. They stand among the masterpieces of African art collections, bearing witness to the cultural and spiritual richness of the Fang people. Their presence recalls the importance of justice, tradition, and the bond between the living and the ancestors.
Introduction to our expertise firm

Based in Belgium, our appraisal and sales house specializes in African and ethnographic art. A leading seller on Catawiki for over 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with a customer satisfaction rate close to 100%.

We regularly assist with liquidations, estates, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is designed to be rigorous, transparent and accessible, with sales often offered without a reserve price.

Some pieces that have passed through our hands have joined international private collections and, for some, museum institutions.

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