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110 - Okuyi (Mukudj) Punu mask, Gabon Materials: Wood and pigments…
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Estimate €1,000 - €2,000
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Description
Okuyi (Mukudj) Punu mask, Gabon Materials: Wood and pigments - Base included (gallery condition). Provenance: From James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. The objects presented in this sale come from the collection of James "Joopie" Permeke, grandson of the painter Constant Permeke. Permeke, grandson of major Belgian artist Constant Permeke. Kept in the family for several decades for several decades, this collection bears witness to a provenance directly linked to one of the most important one of Belgium's most important artistic lineages of the 20th century. Dimensions: H. 25 cm (42 cm with stand) This remarkable Okuyi or Mukudj female mask elegantly illustrates one of the pinnacles of Punu sculpture from southern Gabon. Gabon. The face displays the emblematic features of this tradition: harmonious features, half-closed almond-shaped eyes, finely drawn mouth and forehead adorned with geometric scarring. The high striated hairstyle, treated with remarkable technical technical mastery, crowns a face of balanced volumes and gentle expression. Okuyi masks were used for public ceremonies and masked dances associated with initiation societies. masks embodied the feminine ideal, beauty, ancestral wisdom and the link with the spirit world. Worn by dancers on stilts, they appeared at major events in the life of the community, offering spectators a spectacular spectacular manifestation of the presence of benevolent ancestors. The age of this piece can be seen in its natural patina, consistent wear and the softness of the relief, testifying to its long journey. The light pigments still remain in places, while the volumes retain all their sculptural strength. As a whole, the sculpture is of the highest quality, produced by a hand that is particularly skilful in its treatment of the gaze, the mouth and the face. the eyes, the mouth and the hairstyle. It is particularly interesting to note that the AHDRC database (ref. 0049791) lists a mask that is stylistically very closely related to this example. stylistic kinship with this example, suggesting that it was made by the same hand or workshop. This was offered at a specialist sale by Zemanek in 2008, where it fetched around €4,000. Without constituting formal proof of attribution, this comparison highlights the quality of the stylistic corpus to which this mask belongs. to which this mask belongs. In addition to its ethnographic interest, this mask has a timeless aesthetic. The purity of the lines, proportions and the serenity of the face explain why Punu works are among the most sought-after African creations most sought-after by collectors of primitive art. They embody a rare combination of formal refinement, symbolic depth and sculptural presence, symbolic depth and sculptural presence.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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