This mask type from the Punu, called ‘okuyi’ or ‘mukudji’, represents a ‘beautiful girl’ coming 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 at markets. ‘Okuyi masks’ were carved from light-coloured, lightweight wood, their faces were white by means of kaolin, while their hair and the rim of the mask were dyed black. The mouth and the typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead and both temples (in the form of a nine-part diamond) were generally coloured in red tones or, as in this case, dyed black. The shape of the eye slits, that seem Asian, is characteristic of all ‘Okuyi masks’ of the Punu tribe, however they have nothing to do with the Japanese ‘No masks’. Aside from the diamond shape on their forehead and temples the ‘Okuyi masks’ of the real Punu (in Gabon) bear no other scarification marks on their faces. The ‘Okuyi masks’ of the sub-tribe Punu Tsengi (or Punu Tsangui), however have additional, linear decorative scarification on their faces. This way they can be differentiated.
The present Punu Tsengi mask is visibly very old. The white kaolin coating on the face has, as a result of protracted use, almost entirely rubbed off. Furthermore the originally black-dyed surfaces show colour abrasion and all the former edges are slightly ‘worn’. The hairstyle, formed from a high central crest and two braids on either side, was originally adorned with rows of decorative brass nails (now only a few remain). This extremely old item shows a very old, shiny patina on the front and back (inside) as a result of protracted use. There is only slight damage: the age-related breakage on the right, under side has been, like two cracks on the lower, upper and back rim of the mask, mended with twisted laces made from plant fibres. Otherwise it is in good condition. Height: 30 cm; Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Acquired by the consignor in situ in Gabon in 1973; thence: Austrian private collection.

Lit.:
'Ancestral Art of Gabon' by Louis Perrois, ill. 24; 'Punu’ by Louis Perrois und Charlotte Grand-Dufay, ill. 45, 46á; 'Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture' by K.-F. Schädler, ill. p. 516.