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Fang Mask (front view)

COUNTRY: GABON/CAMEROON

ETHNIC GROUP: FANG

MATERIALS: WOOD, PIGMENT

HEIGHT: 36 in.

 

The Fang are well known to collectors of African art for their masks and figure sculpture. These are among the works which influenced the work of Picasso, Matisse, Modigliani and others in the early 20th century.

 

The mask is tall, slender and tapered. It is whitened with kaolin. The masks are planar with slit eys, long slim nose, pursed lips and carved teeth. They masks were used by men of the Ngil judiciary association to exercise social control.

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Uploaded on January 17, 2009
Taken on July 30, 2006