TWO SMALL 16CM HIGH PUNU WHITE FACED WOODEN SPIRIT MASKS FROM THE ZAIRE GABON RAINFOREST PEOPLE

TWO SMALL AFRICAN TRIBAL PUNU WOODEN MASKS FROM GABON. ANCESTRAL PUNU HAND CARVED WOODEN MASKS.
 
MANY PUNU MASKS HAVE AN ORIENTAL EXPRESSION AND ARE HANDCARVED OUT OF WOOD AND SET IN THE COLORS OF WHITE AND BLACK. THE PUNU MASKS ORIENTAL LOOK STRONGLY INDICATES THAT CHINESE PEOPLE TRADED AND LIVED IN AFRICA FOR MANY YEARS BEFORE THE EUROPEAN SETTLERS ARRIVED.
 
Each mask is an "original" work of art, individually hand carved out of a single piece of wood, no two are exactly alike which adds to the value of each piece. The original nature of tribal art will be reflected by variances from the mask as shown, each piece of a specific style is similar, but not identical.
 
OUR PUNU MASKS IS SMALLER THAN THE NORM AND HAS NO DIAMOND SCARIFICATION ON THE FOREHEAD AS IS USUAL. BUT IT HAS THE ARCHED BROWS AND SMALL SLIT EYES AS IN THE NORMAL PUNU MASKS. AND ELABORATE BACK ARCHING HAIRSTYLES AS IS THE NORM.
JUDGING BY ITS NON THREATENING NATURE AND PORTRUDING LIPS AND HAIRSTYLES THAT THESE ARE FEMALE PUNU MASKS.
 
SIZE: 20CM HIGH ON STAND 16CM HIGH MASK 10CM WIDE 7CM DEEP

CONDITION: MOUNTED ON WOODEN STANDS. IN GOOD CONDITION.
 
NOTE I HAVE VARIOUS INTERSTING AFRICAN ARTIFACTS ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. STRANGE WOODEN CARVED BOWLS AND GOURDS TO OLD AFRICAN POTTERY LAMPS AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. ALSO AN AFRICAN LUBA DRC PIPE.

TIPICAL PUNU MASKS:
1. Punu masks represents the spirit of an ancestor and is commonly found throughout western and central Gabon. The white face represents the soul of an ancestor. Was used at the burial ceremonies of the Puno society.
2. The Punu reside on the left bank of the Upper Ngoume River (Gabon)and belong to the group of tribes known as Shira which were originally part of the Luango kingdom of Angola.
3. Compared stylistically to Japanese or Chinese art, the masks are typically oval in shape, with narrowed eyes, arched eyebrows and small ears. Although the mask has an Asian expression, no such connection has been established.
4. The male masks (ikwar) tend to be brown and black pigment over white koalin and viewed as ugly and are shown at night whilst the masks for females (mukudj) tend to be lighter and considered prettier by the locals and are shown in the day. The Okuyi (or mokuyi) white-faced dancing masks commonly contain nine scale-like diamond patterns on the forehead. This is said to be a "central eye" and also a flowering tree. The white color, usually derived from koalin represents clarity, light, and beauty.

PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE MANY AFRICAN ARTIFACTS ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30 SO IT IS ADVISABLE TO PUT IN AN AUTOMATIC BID (HIGHEST PRICE YOU ARE WILLING TO PAY) EARLY.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545