Vintage Punu Lumbo Ikwara Mask Gabon – Polychrome African Tribal Art 13.5"

Secondary Keywords: Ogowe River, Gabon, Okuyi, Ethnographic, Ancestor Spirit, Hand Carved

Item Specifics

• Tribe: Punu / Lumbo

• Region of Origin: Gabon

• Material: Wood, Kaolin, Natural Pigments

• Object Type: Ikwara Judicial Mask

• Age: Mid-20th Century

• Dimensions: \bm{13.5" \times 8.5" \times 6.5"}

• Condition: Excellent vintage condition. Minor pigment loss and edge wear consistent with age. Stable wood with no major cracks.

Item Description

This striking Punu-Lumbo mask from Gabon features a rare polychrome finish characteristic of the Ikwara tradition. Unlike the more common white Okuyi masks, the Ikwara is a night mask used for social arbitration and judicial ceremonies.

The mask displays the refined, serene expression Punu art is celebrated for, including the bifurcated coiffure, slit "coffee-bean" eyes, and the traditional diamond-shaped scarification (pelu) on the forehead. The interior shows authentic hand-carved adze marks and a deep wood patina. At 13.5 inches tall, it is a significant and highly displayable piece of West African heritage.