Face mask "okuyi"

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Description

wood, kaolin, reddish brown patina, remains of black paint, characterized by smooth, lovely forms: sickle-shaped eyes underneath delicate arching brows together with the small mouth creating a cheerful, nearly smiling expression on the face, old collection label backside “H. Hess”, min. dam. (nose tip), minor missing parts, paint rubbed off (coiffure), cracks;
depicting an idealized female face, according to Hans Himmelheber a deceased woman, who has returned from the realm of the dead. The female gender is proved by hairstyle and diamond-shaped scarification patterns on forehead and temples. “Okuyi”-masks were used at funeral ceremonies. The dancers wore raffia costumes and moved on high stilts while they frightened the audience with ferocious screams. According to E. Leuzinger they spoke with ghostly voices, generated by a secret instrument, consisting of a small gourd.

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Comparing literature

Himmelheber, Hans, Negerkunst und Negerkünstler, Würzburg 1960, p. 308 f. Leuzinger, Elsy, Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Recklinghausen 1972, p. 264 f. Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Afrikanische Masken aus der Sammlung Barbier-Mueller, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 75

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Publications

Afrique Noire, Sculptures des Collections Privées Suisses, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Musée des Beaux-Arts, 27 Mars - 6 Juin 1971, Cat. No 96

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