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an image of a wooden mask hanging on a wallan image of a wooden mask with a hat on ita close up of a wooden mask with a hat on ita close up of a wooden mask on a gray surfacea close up of a wooden mask on a tablea close up of a wooden mask on a tablea close up of a wooden sculpture of a woman ' s heada close up of a wooden mask on a gray surfacewooden sculpture of a fish with a hook on it ' s back
Maison de vente Labarbe

335 - Punu mukuye mask, Gabon
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Estimate €1,200 - €1,500
Sale commission
Description
Punu mukuye mask, Gabon Soft wood (probably kapok), kaolin, pigments, minor imperfections and losses H. 36 cm Possessing a beautiful inner depth, this face, encircled by a carrying collar, is crowned by a high, shell-shaped bun, flanked by two wing-shaped plaits, the whole elegantly combed. Beneath the fine, arched eyebrows, the coffee-bean-shaped eyes are slit-like, allowing the gaze to pass through. The nose is marked by simple wings, and the mouth is closed and tinted. Fine internal craftsmanship. SFEP expert member: Emmanuelle Menuet History: Recognised very early on by Western artists for their sculptural beauty, Okuyi masks depict portraits of young women with idealised features. Worn by dancers perched on high stilts during community celebrations, they are also, in Punu culture, a symbol of the strong bonds uniting women and the spirit world. The application of white kaolin takes on particular significance here, as this colour is associated with the afterlife in local culture. Having remained in the same French family for almost a century, the three Punu masks we are presenting were collected by the grandparents of the current owners, who were stationed on the banks of the Ogooué near Lambaréné between 1925 and 1930.
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About the sale PAINTINGS, FURNITURE & WORKS OF ART
Auction location
Auction time 10/15/2026 at 9:30 AM
Lot description modified on 10/09/2026 at 9:56 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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