Hand carved wooden helmet style mask from the Kwele people of Gabon. This mask features two faces (janus-style) with the typical heart shape. The mask measures 11 inches tall and weighs 2.5 pounds. There is some minor cracking, scuffing and general wear and tear throughout – please inspect photos.
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Kwele Janus Helmet Mask 11″ – Gabon – African Art
Original price was: $195.00.$175.50Current price is: $175.50.
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| Type of Object | Mask |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Gabon |
| Ethnicity | Kwele |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 11” |
| Width (Inches) | 11” |
| Depth (Inches) | 8.5” |
| Weight (Pounds) | 2.5 lbs |
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.
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