One of a Kind Punu Ceremonial Mask from Gabon

This one of a kind Punu Ceremonial mask is handmade in Gabon. Representing an idealized female face, the mask features characteristic high coiffures reflecting the Punu women's elaborate hair styles.

This style of mask were often worn by male stilt performers in a dance called "mukudj," which involved executing complex choreography and acrobatics while on towering stilts. The creator of a "mukudj" mask would attempt to capture the likeness of a beautiful woman in his community.  Kaolin taken from riverbeds, which was associated with healing and with a spiritual, ancestral realm of existence, was applied to the surface of the face. By using this material, the artist both celebrated the beauty of a mortal woman and transformed her into a transcendent being.

Dimensions: 12"T x 6"W x 5"D

Country of Origin: Gabon