Elegant Kwele Mask 16″ – Gabon – African Art

$195.00

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SKU: 1017847 Categories: , ,
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This elegant mask was carved in the style of the Kwele people of Gabon. This mask features a heart-shaped outer edge and a small face in the center, typical of Kwele masks. The mask measures 16 inches tall and weighs 1.5 pounds. There is some cracking and general wear and tear throughout – please inspect photos. Stand is not included.

Type of Object

Mask

Country of Origin

Gabon

Ethnicity

Kwele

Material

Wood, Pigment

Approximate Age

Unknown

Height (Inches)

16"

Width (Inches)

10.25"

Depth (Inches)

3"

Weight (Pounds)

1.5 lbs

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Tribe Information

About the Kwele People

“The Kwele tribe live on the northern frontier of the Republic of Congo, and have produced a famous type of mask called Ekuk. It displays a flat surface and often has a whitened heart-shaped face, a triangular nose and coffee bean eyes. These masks were hung in their houses and rarely worn during dances related to the initiation ceremonies of the Bwete cult. Their function was to ‘warm up’ the village atmosphere in order to activate the beneficial forces resident in the Bwete box.”

Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.