SKU: 13260733430

Punu Maiden Mask Ikwara, Gabon #103

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Description

Punu Maiden Mask Ikwara, Gabon #103Punu Maiden Mask Ikwara, Gabon #103 Measurements: 11" high x 5. 25" wide The top "crown" above the beautifully carved face would have had human hair gently tacked into the surface to intensify the "humanity" of this Mask. High weathered but traces of red, black and white Ritually applied before the Mask's last Ceremonial use still remain. Circa 19409 50's Black Punu Masks are Rare: While most are white in pigmentation painting, black colored Punu

  • Punu Maiden Mask Ikwara, Gabon #103
  • Measurements: 11" high x 5.25" wide
  • The top "crown" above the beautifully carved face would have had human hair gently tacked into the surface to intensify the "humanity" of this Mask.
  • High weathered but traces of red, black and white Ritually applied before the Mask's last Ceremonial use still remain.
  • Circa 19409-50's
  • Black Punu Masks are Rare: While most are white in pigmentation/ painting, black-colored Punu Masks (Ikwaras) exist, generally representing Judicial or Protective Functions during Illnesses or Witchcraft-related Issues.

  • Black Punu masks were believed linked to a Judiciary Process such as searching for Witches, an Enquiry into a Crime, or a Trial by Poison.

  • According to Louis Perrois, the category "masks with black painted faces" make up about 8% of the corpus of the Punu Masks. The black-faced Masks represent Angry Spirits, and are therefore considered potentially dangerous to handle them. According to Perrois (1979: 235) black patina on Punu masks is presumably an index of its more serious or darker role in Judiciary Services, potentially Condemning the Living, whereas Punu Masks layered in white kaolin are used in Celebrations and Funerary Ceremonies.

  • Punu Masks from Gabon, known as Mukudj (Mukudji or Mukuyi—the names of the Ceremonies at which they appear and the Stilt Dances associated with them), represent an Idealized Female Ancestor, symbolizing beauty, serenity, and the Spirit World. White kaolin-covered faces signify the Afterlife, and Ancestral Wisdom. Worn by male stilt-dancers, these Masks mediate between the Living and Dead, often in Funeral or Celebratory contexts.

  • Key Symbolism and Meaning of Punu Masks
    Idealized Female Ancestor: Representing the "Most Beautiful Women", these Masks feature high-domed foreheads, elaborate coiffures, and diamond-shaped scarification (lozenge-shaped) on the forehead/ temples.
    White Kaolin Clay: The white pigment, derived from local riverbeds, symbolizes Peace, the Afterlife and Spirits of the Dead.
    Serenity and Inner Vision: The eyes are usually half-closed, reflecting Meditation, Inner Peace, and a connection to the Spiritual Realm.

  • Cultural Identity: Today, these Masks are recognized as a key emblem of Punu Identity and were sometimes displayed in Villages for their Cultural Significance.
    The masks typically feature a heart-shaped face with a small, pointed chin and are crafted from wood, often accompanied by elaborate costumes of fiber or raffia.

  • The creator of a "Mukudj" Mask would attempt to capture the likeness of the most beautiful woman in his Community. The Subject of this particular idealized and stylized portrait was embellished in classic nineteenth-century fashion with a coiffure composed of a central lobe and two lateral tresses and with cicatrization motifs on the forehead and temples. Kaolin taken from riverbeds, which was associated with healing and with a Spiritual, Ancestral Realm of Existence, was applied to the surface of the face. By using this material, the Artist both celebrated the Beauty of a Mortal Woman and transformed her likeness into a Transcendent Being.

  • Punu Masks were only worn by male members of the Mwiri society, who dance on tall stilts on the occasion of Celebrations marking the end of Mourning, and more generally at important social events in the life of a Community. Their joyful, acrobatic walkabout performances are reminiscent of their former role as initiators and guarantors of social order, the cleanliness of community spaces, and even the moral behavior of the inhabitants.

  • Origin is Gabon

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SKU: 13260733430

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4.3 ★★★★★
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Mandy W
Lexington, US
★★★★★ 5
Enjoyable For Our Dogs
Color: 3 Colors
Very durable material. They have a little squish too them for easy pick up for our 50 pound dogs. Our dogs love all balls. They have a little weight to them, but not excessive for a medium to large size dog. We have an English Springer Spaniel and a Goldendoodle. Fun for playtime, but you probably won’t want to throw them around the house.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026
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HORSEPOOR.WILSON
Los Angeles, US
★★★★★ 5
Awesome dog toy
Color: 3 Colors
Theses are great tough squeaky dog balls. Last a long time unless the dogs lose them outside,. Just the correct size for a german shepherd.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 13, 2026
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Verified Purchase
T. Worthen
Waukegan, US
★★★★★ 4
A little too hard for our dog.
Color: 4 Colors
These are definitely durable balls. They are a harder than our dog prefers. He does play with them a little and enjoys squeaking them, but he doesn't like to play fetch with them and that is primarily the only thing he really enjoys doing with balls.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2026
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Verified Purchase
April D. Baldner
Port Orchard, US
★★★★★ 5
Great for aggressive chewers!!! Plus the colors are awesome!
Color: 4 Colors
These are fantastic!! Love the colors and they are holding up very well!!! My dog tends to tear apart every chew toy I buy but these are still intact. Amazing dog toy!!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2026
M
Verified Purchase
MissRachelle
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Cheap but expected, worked as intended, none of them broke.
Size: 1000 Teaspoons
Seems to be cheap quality but what else can you expect for the price? I needed something cheap that would work for cold foods, and these delivered. They lasted me forever and I didn’t have any break, I just didn’t trust them with super hot foods. I will buy again in a heartbeat though because for everything else they work great. They are small spoons that don’t hold much, bend easily, are really lightweight and I wish they came in portions or wraps because after opening they sat there collecting dust through the hole in the box and so I had to transfer them to a closed container for sanitary purposes. Again though, I didn’t really expect anything else, so I’m happy regardless.
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Reviewed in the United States on September 26, 2025

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