Pair of Punu masks

Pair of masks from the punu culture, gabon. The triangular face dominated by a wide central shell headdress. The balance of finely chiseled features, - half-closed, split, arched eyebrows, short nose, mouth with fleshy lips - is accentuated by the linear scarification adorning the forehead, drawing a wide band in the shape of an inverted "t" on one and diamonds on the other. Wear in the kaolin plaster (pembe) reveals a light brown wood. Highlights dark red on the lips and frontal scarification, black on the headdress. Masks presenting frontal scarifications as here are one of the typical variants of white masks from southern gabon. Their geographical origin is located in the gabonese hinterland, close to the border of congo. These masks of proven ritual use in the region were called duma used by the ndzèbi and tsanghi, they were used during mourning rituals. Sold with their metal base. Height on base 40cm.