Material Wood and pigments
Dimensions 30 x 20 x 20 cm
Place of Creation Gabon
Status Vetted

About the Work

These masks are known for representing idealized female faces and are used in rituals of the secret mwiri society, a male association that conducts ceremonies related to initiation, ancestor veneration, and community protection. As a symbol of authority, it appeared in the village during mourning festivities for important leaders, at the birth of twins, in puberty rites, and in the initiations of mouiri and mukuyi.


Carved from lightweight wood, likely Alstonia congensis, the mask has been whitened with kaolin, a white pigment used to give the face a luminous appearance, a characteristic symbolizing purity and spirituality in Punu culture.


The face has a serene expression, with half-closed, almond-shaped eyes that convey a sense of introspection or meditation, possibly representing a spiritual state. The eyebrows are arched and delicately carved, while the mouth is small, with slightly open, full lips.


On the forehead and temples, there are geometric patterns in relief that likely represent ritual or aesthetic markings, emphasizing idealized beauty. The mask also features an elaborate hairstyle, with a central protrusion carved at the top, decorated with fine lines that mimic braids. This type of hairstyle is a symbol of nobility or high social status within the community.


This mask is not only an aesthetic object but also carries deep spiritual and social significance. The secret societies that used these masks were tasked with preserving the tribe's norms and values, exerting social control, and maintaining the community’s balance.

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Provenance

Collection of the sculptor Auguste Biaggi (1878-1965)
Eleve et practician of Jules Dalou, author of a monumental Totem sculpture for the” Pavillon de l´Afrique Equatoriale Francaise” during the “Exposition Internationale des Arts et Techniques” in 1937. Conserved since then in the family.

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