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ID #SA1080229
FOR SALE
£800
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A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century
Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall
for sale €936     $1,016
£800

Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall

Sellingantiques Verified Since Dec 2015
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A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century

19th century
Description

This Punu mask hails from the 19th century, a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Gabon. The mask features a linear coiffure, meticulously carved to represent the traditional hairstyles of the Punu people. Its face is painted with white Kaolin, symbolizing the spirits of ancestors and purity. A striking diamond motif scarification mark adorns the forehead, sitting just above the narrow eye slits that bring a mysterious allure to the mask’s visage. The design elements of the mask are not only decorative but also hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning within the Punu community.

Currently, the mask is elegantly presented on a bespoke metal stand, which enhances its visual appeal and highlights its delicate features.

This mask, once part of the private collection of a distinguished Belgian gentleman, indicating its journey from the heart of Central Africa to Europe, where it has been preserved and appreciated as a valuable piece of art and history.

This description captures the essence of the Punu mask, emphasizing its cultural significance and the beauty of its craftsmanship.

Hight: 12 inches (30 cm)

Width: 8 1/2 inches (22 cm)

Depth: 6 inches (15 cm)

Height including stand: 21 1/4 inches (54 cm)

Physical Dimensions
Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Declaration

Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall has dated this Gabonese Punu Tribal Mask to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1080229
Dealers Internal Reference
SA177
Dealers Notes

Surrey Antiques have been dealing in and restoring fine furniture since 1982. With over 35 years experience dealing in all types of antique furniture from early oak and walnut to Georgian mahogany and the more exotic timbers such as rosewood and satinwood.

Whilst we deal mostly with mahogany furniture of the Georgian period designed by some of the greatest furniture designers such as Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite and Adam we also have a very good in depth knowledge of all the main periods of English furniture design from early oak to Regency and Victorian.

Description
This Punu mask hails from the 19th century, a testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Gabon.
“
The mask features a linear coiffure, meticulously carved to represent the traditional hairstyles of the Punu people.
Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall

Its face is painted with white Kaolin, symbolizing the spirits of ancestors and purity. A striking diamond motif scarification mark adorns the forehead, sitting just above the narrow eye slits that bring a mysterious allure to the mask’s visage. The design elements of the mask are not only decorative but also hold significant cultural and spiritual meaning within the Punu community.

fig 1. A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
fig 1. A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century

Currently, the mask is elegantly presented on a bespoke metal stand, which enhances its visual appeal and highlights its delicate features.

This mask, once part of the private collection of a distinguished Belgian gentleman, indicating its journey from the heart of Central Africa to Europe, where it has been preserved and appreciated as a valuable piece of art and history.

fig 2. A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
fig 2. A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century

This description captures the essence of the Punu mask, emphasizing its cultural significance and the beauty of its craftsmanship.

Hight: 12 inches (30 cm)

Width: 8 1/2 inches (22 cm)

Depth: 6 inches (15 cm)

Height including stand: 21 1/4 inches (54 cm)

Height
30cm (11.81")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
15cm (5.91")
Date of Manufacture

Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall has dated this Gabonese Punu Tribal Mask to the 19th Century.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1080229
Dealers Internal Ref
SA177
Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall
Sellingantiques verified Since Dec 2015

We offer a friendly and reliable service based on traditional values, where personal service and customer satisfaction are paramount..

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall Profile Page

Relevant Links
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SAVE
A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
1 / 8
Archive I A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.

A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century

Archive II A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View II
Archive III A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View III
Archive IV Scale Reference for A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
Archive V A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View V
Archive VI A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View VI
Archive VII A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View VII
Archive VIII A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand. View VIII
Enlarged Archival View

Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall
Telephone 07711 846 712 or 01276 856 799
Location
Unit 7A
Pankhurst Farm
Bagshot Road
West End
Surrey
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/surreyantiques
Verified Since Dec 2015
Items For Sale 71
Items Sold 115
Surrey Antiques by Gary J Hall
Verified Since Dec 2015
View Dealer Info
Location: Unit 7A, Pankhurst Farm, Bagshot Road, West End, Surrey, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/surreyantiques
Verified
Dec 2015
For Sale
71
Sold
115
A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
A Punu Mask, Gabon, 19th Century
Ref: SA1080229
A carved wooden Punu tribal mask featuring a white kaolin face, arched eyebrows, narrow slit eyes, dark lips, and an elaborate dark coiffure, mounted on a yellow stand.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Detail View 5
Detail View 6
Scale Reference
Archival Detail

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FAQs

Punu masks originate from the Punu people of Gabon in Central Africa and are traditionally used during ceremonies, representing idealised ancestral spirits and female beauty.

These masks are carved from native softwoods, coated with white kaolin clay to signify the realm of spirits, and detailed with dark organic pigments on the raised coiffure.

Historical examples display distinct characteristics such as a white kaolin facial surface, narrow slit eyes, diamond-shaped scarification motifs on the forehead, and signs of age on the interior.

A carved mask can be elevated on a bespoke metal stand atop a sideboard or mounted directly to a neutral wall as a focal sculptural element alongside contemporary furnishings.

Keep the object away from direct sunlight and moisture to prevent cracking, and dust lightly with a dry, soft-bristled brush to avoid damaging the delicate white surface finish.
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