Ancient, rare and unusual okuyi face mask depicting an idealized female face. The eyebrows are arched, the eyes evoked by narrow slits, the nose short and the mouth open. The hair is in a bun. The face, with the exception of the ears, is covered with metal sheets nailed or fastened with staples. Light wood. Metal leaves (some parts scratched). Height: 30.5 cm. Gabon. Punu ethnic group. Hôtel Drouot, Piasa, November 18, 2007, lot n°45. Expert: Laurent DODIER.

Composed of several subsidiaries, the Drouot Group is a major player in the art market. Hôtel Drouot, located in the heart of Paris, has been the world's largest public auction center since 1852. 15 salerooms are available to more than 70 auction houses. The emulation generated by an annual offer of 230,000 artworks from 21 major specialities - from Antiquity to street art - attracts some 3,000 visitors every day. The Group's digital platform, Drouot.com, offers digital sales - Live auctions (live broadcasting and participation in auctions), Online-only auctions (dematerialised auctions) and Buy Now sales (sales of lots at fixed prices). Nearly 2 million items are offered annually by 600 auction houses. Auction news is reported every week in La Gazette Drouot, the leading weekly magazine for the art market and culture published by Auctionspress.