GABON
VUVI Mask
Beautiful bicoloured mask whitened with kaolin
According to the study on Vuvi masks by Charlotte Grand-Dufay, referring to the anthropology thesis of Paulin Kialo, masks used during young men’s initiation rites were generally bicoloured. She also underlines the rarity of such two-tone examples.
Like those of their Mitsogho neighbours, Vuvi masks display a great diversity of forms; their common features being almost flat faces, divided by two arcs of a circle joined by a triangular appendage, and a very strong stylisation.
The Vuvi are a people living in the great forest of central Gabon. They are culturally close to the Tsogho; their rituals are similar, and they sometimes even exchange masks.
PROVENANCE: ex collection Ph. Vokaer, ex André Vanhecke
Characteristics:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask
ETHNIC GROUP: Vuvi
ORIGIN: Gabon
MATERIAL: Wood
HEIGHT: 10 3/4 inches (27.5 cm)
CONDITION: Fair (see pictures)
The stand is NOT included