LUMBO Mask - Punu (ou Bapounou) - Gabon

Origin. Gabon
Tribe name. Bapunou
Material. Wood
Dimension. 32 cm
Mode of shipment. Colissimo within 24-48h, please open.

Decorative Punu mask (often associated with the Lumbu style, the two cultures sharing close artistic traditions in Gabon).

This is a mask of mukudji or okuyi type, characterized by an idealized aesthetic. It features an oval face with fine, delicate traits.
Coiffure: The mask is topped by a complex hairstyle, structured in lobes or a crest, typical of traditional hairstyles worn by women in the region.
Eyes: The eyes are rendered as narrow, elongated slits directed downward, which gives an expression of serenity, contemplation, or detachment characteristic of these masks.
Polychromy: The mask shows contrasting coloration: The face bears traces of pigments, notably white kaolin (often associated with the world of ancestors and spirits) on the forehead and temples. The eyelids and lips are accentuated in red.
Condition: There is marked wear to the wood, with signs of erosion and natural imperfections.
These masks were traditionally used during ritual dances, worn by dancers on stilts, to embody spirits during funeral ceremonies or social celebrations.