Bapunou reliquary head - Gabon

Origin: Gabon

Tribe name: Bapunou

Material: Wood

Dimension: 44

Shipping method: Colissimo within 24-48h open.

This piece portrayed is an African wooden sculpture, whose style is characteristic of the Punu art of Gabon.

The face: It features the typical traits of Punu masks and figures, with an idealized aesthetic. The face is oval, finished with a light patina (often achieved with kaolin), and shows eyes in the form of closed slits, a small mouth, and arched eyebrows. Geometric scarifications are also visible, notably on the forehead, a common feature in Punu iconography.

The coiffure: The crown of the head is topped with a structured hairstyle, typical of Punu aesthetic traditions, recalling the complex coiffure styles once worn by women of this ethnic group.

The form: Unlike classic anthropomorphic statuettes, this piece has a stylized and abstract shape. The face is directly connected to a circular or oval form that descends to a solid base, reminiscent of the structure of a ring or loop.

The base and polychromy: The piece rests on a broad, dark, textured base, contrasting with the upper part. There is a clear chromatic transition between the light face, the body of the loop in brown-red, and the dark base, highlighting traditional polychromy work on wood.

This work bears witness to the mastery of stylization in Punu art, where naturalistic human features are combined with symbolic geometric forms.