Face mask "ngil.” Fang, Gabon.
Wood, small residues of brown patina and kaolin, characteristic elongated face with a concave heart-shaped vaulted facial plane, eyes and mouth in narrow slits, the coiffure unusual for the mask type, consisting of a three-parted middle crest and lobes aside, typically painted with a thick layer of kaolin, backside in the chin area pierced around the rim, slightly dam. (coiffure, right eye), cracks (above all at the right corner of the mouth/chin), minor missing parts on the upper rim backside; the white painted "ngil"-face masks represent a mask tradition, extinguished since the middle of the 20th century. According insufficient is our knowledge about these masks. The typical face painting with white kaolin, reminds of the power of the ancestors and implies that the mask represents the spirit of a deceased. The mask figures wore raffia costumes. Their frightening and deterrent effect was enhanced by the fact that they mostly appeared during the night with flaring light. It's affiliation to the "ngil" society, is controversial nowadays. Essentially there are known three mask types of the Fang. Aside the "ngil" there are the so-called "ekekek" masks, appearing as demons for a secret society, as well as the multi-faced "ngontang" helmet masks. They are said to represent the ghost of the white woman, a powerful spirit, detecting and punishing sorcerers.
Height: 39 cm.
Estimate: 70,000 - 150,000 €
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