This mask type of the Punu, called ‘Okuyi’ or ‘Mukudji’, represents a ‘beautiful girl’ who comes to the living from the afterlife to pay a benevolent visit. The ‘Okuyi masks’ are worn by men in full body costumes who stand on 2 metre high stilts, during ceremonies, feasts and for entertainment at markets.
The present ‘Okuyi mask’ is carved from lightweight, light-coloured wood and its face is coloured white with kaolin. Its hairstyle of three, finely lined crests and the outer rim of the mask were originally black-dyed, like the narrow eyebrows and the decorative scarification marks on the face. The decorative scarification marks running across the entire face show that this mask originates from the Punu subgroup of the ‘Punu-Tsengi’ (or ‘Punu-Tsangui’) in southern Gabon. Only they have such linear scarification tattoos. The ears and the closed, beautifully formed mouth are red. A visibly very old piece, with heavy colour scuffing, especially in the white of the face, a small, old fracture to the left edge of the mask, as well as chipped edges due to age. Nevertheless, with very good usage patina at the back on the inside.
Height: 31 cm; width; 16 cm.
Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Bernie Barrasch Collection, Chicago; currently: Austrian private collection.

Lit.:
‘Ancestral Art of Gabon’ by Louis Perrois, ill. 24; ‘Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture’ by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 516.