An ancient mask adorned with wooden studs around the face, formerly used to secure a raffia beard, imprinted with kaolin, the forehead striped with a vertical pigment, and the hair streaked. Note the interesting treatment of the ears, sculpted in two hollowed-out triangles. Benjabi, Gabon Wood, pigments, truncated at the bottom, very fine old oxidation and patina. Height: 22.5cm Provenance: Hélène Leloup Collection, Gabon Hélène Leloup Collection, Paris Passed on by descent