Ngil Fang mask - Ngil - Gabon
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€ 75
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 190 - € 210
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Wooden Ngil Fang mask from Gabon, originating from the Ngil people, 40 cm high by 20 cm wide, dating to the late 20th century, in good condition and sold with a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Origin. Gabon
Name of the tribe. Ngil
Material. Wood
Dimension. H 40. L 20 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h; please open.
This decorative mask is a piece of Fang art, a people primarily established in Gabon, but also in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. It perfectly illustrates the stylistic codes specific to the Ngil secret society.
Silhouette elongated: The face has an elongated and slightly concave shape, typical of masks of this style.
Clean lines: The structure is characterized by a great economy of features, favoring straight lines and harmonious curves rather than realistic anatomical details.
2. Visual and Aesthetic Elements
Polychromy (Colors): The contrast is striking between the white surface — obtained through the application of kaolin (white clay) — and the dark wood visible. In Fang culture, white is a highly symbolic color associated with the world of spirits, with purity and ancestors.
The eyes are represented by narrow horizontal slits, giving the mask an expression of serenity, introspection, or distant authority.
The nasal ridge: The nose is particularly long and slender, forming a vertical line that structures the entire face, starting from the forehead and descending to the small mouth.
Scarifications: Under the eyes, there are incised triangular patterns. These scarifications recall the traditional ritual marks that identified ethnic belonging or social status.
Materials and Additions
Natural fibers: We note tufts of fibers (raffia or plant fibers) fixed on the side of the mask and a cord attached at the mouth level. These elements indicate that this object is not meant to be displayed alone, but to be part of a full costume worn during ceremonies or dances.
This type of mask was traditionally used by the Ngil secret society.
Function: The Ngil society had a judicial role and maintained order within the villages. Initiates, masked and costumed, appeared during ceremonies to identify troublemakers, drive out evil spirits, or settle internal conflicts.
The impression produced: Through its minimalist design and its "ghost" face (due to the white color), these masks were intended to inspire fear and respect, representing a spiritual force coming from the beyond to restore social balance.
Origin. Gabon
Name of the tribe. Ngil
Material. Wood
Dimension. H 40. L 20 cm
Mode of shipping. Colissimo within 24-48h; please open.
This decorative mask is a piece of Fang art, a people primarily established in Gabon, but also in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. It perfectly illustrates the stylistic codes specific to the Ngil secret society.
Silhouette elongated: The face has an elongated and slightly concave shape, typical of masks of this style.
Clean lines: The structure is characterized by a great economy of features, favoring straight lines and harmonious curves rather than realistic anatomical details.
2. Visual and Aesthetic Elements
Polychromy (Colors): The contrast is striking between the white surface — obtained through the application of kaolin (white clay) — and the dark wood visible. In Fang culture, white is a highly symbolic color associated with the world of spirits, with purity and ancestors.
The eyes are represented by narrow horizontal slits, giving the mask an expression of serenity, introspection, or distant authority.
The nasal ridge: The nose is particularly long and slender, forming a vertical line that structures the entire face, starting from the forehead and descending to the small mouth.
Scarifications: Under the eyes, there are incised triangular patterns. These scarifications recall the traditional ritual marks that identified ethnic belonging or social status.
Materials and Additions
Natural fibers: We note tufts of fibers (raffia or plant fibers) fixed on the side of the mask and a cord attached at the mouth level. These elements indicate that this object is not meant to be displayed alone, but to be part of a full costume worn during ceremonies or dances.
This type of mask was traditionally used by the Ngil secret society.
Function: The Ngil society had a judicial role and maintained order within the villages. Initiates, masked and costumed, appeared during ceremonies to identify troublemakers, drive out evil spirits, or settle internal conflicts.
The impression produced: Through its minimalist design and its "ghost" face (due to the white color), these masks were intended to inspire fear and respect, representing a spiritual force coming from the beyond to restore social balance.
Details
Indigenous object name
Ngil
Number of objects
1
Country of Origin
Gabon
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Ngil Fang mask
Height
40 cm
Width
20 cm
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