Shira or Punu Mask (Mukudj) Gabon Africa Start Price USD 1,150.00 Current Price USD 1,150.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price - Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, September 28, 2008 End Time Wednesday, October 08, 2008 Location Denver, CO See more about 'Shira or Punu Mask (Mukudj) Gabon Africa' Description Title: Mukudj MaskType of Object: MaskEthnic Group: Punu, Shira Country of Origin: GabonMaterials: Wood and PigmentApproximate Age: First half 20th Century Dimensions: 12 inches Overall Condition: GoodDamage, Repair: wear, old chips damage to the edgeInformation: Coming from the Atlantic coastal region white faced masks known as Mukudj, representing females are carved by the Punu or Sira and Lumbo people. Moreover the large stylized hairstyle most probably locates this brilliantly face mask among the Punu or Shira groups. This dramatic carving is enhanced by the white clay (kaolin) that covers the face with the contrasting red color emphasizing the details of lips, ears and facial markings. The finely carved features with delicately arched eyebrows and semi-closed eyes are all surmounted by a large coiffure of a large central crest with two side lobes reaching down onto a large black collar that frames the lower half of the face.Mukudj masks such as this example are worn by male dancers at funerals of honored elder males in which the white face portrays an idealized female with a well-defined helmet-like hair-style that crowns her head and surrounds her face. Though the face has a calm expression the mask is worn in a dance that is of great vigor and movement with the dancers elevated above the crowd balancing on stilts with whisks in either hand emphasizing the dance movements. Despite the vigorous dance and exaggerated movements the mask maintains her sense of composure and calm. Her elegant coiffure and body and face marking portray her as a mature woman of great composure and beauty, balancing action to an extraordinary sense of reserve expressing her spirituality to all who see her. A costume would be attached to the lower part of the mask to hide the dancer’s face and complement the fact that he was completely covered when he danced the mask on stilts.This is a particularly well sculpted example of Mukudj mask showing signs of long use and numerous repaintings.Siroto, L., African Spirit Images and Identities. 1976. **033392** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. SquareTrade © AP6.0 PesaMember Place a Bid!