Masque, Punu/Lumbo, Gabon

okuyi, le visage à la beauté naturaliste mis en valeur par une large collerette et une coiffure à grosses tresses nattées réparties de part et d'autre de la raie axiale, enserrant le front dépourvu de scarifications. Grand équilibre des traits, les yeux mis-clos en amande répondant à l'arc des sourcils. Patine ocre, rehaussée de brun sur la coiffure, la collerette et les sourcils, et de rouge sur la bouche charnue.

Ancienne collection J.P. Laprugne, Paris

Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Tiny loss to the end of the right eye. Surface abrasion to the tip of the nose. Superficial losses to the painted patina along the right side of the mouth. Small superficial loss under the left eye. Few hairline cracks. Losses along the internal edge, to the top and along the left side.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

cf. Perrois et Grand-Dufay (2008: n° 32) pour un masque de style comparable offrant, comme ici, un type de coiffure à grosses tresses nattées, (moins idéalisé que le type "classique" à coques rembourrées), "observé et photographié sur des femmes Punu et Lumbo dès le début du XX^e siècle". L'attribution Lumbo s'appuie également sur l'absence de scarifications (Perrois et Grand-Dufay, 2005 : 99).

cf. également Mullen Kreamer (2007 : 38) pour un masque noir provenant de la collection Paul Tishman conservé au National Museum of African Art, Smithonian Institution, attribué aux Punu ou Lumbo, offrant les mêmes caractéristiques : large visage, tresses transversales, absence de scarification, le visage mis en valeur par une importante collerette.