Dance mask - Kwele / Bakwele - Gabon
06
days
21
hours
49
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29
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
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Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Purification mask in wood from the Kwélé/Bakwélé people of Gabon, dating to roughly 1970–1990, measuring 410 mm high, 290 mm wide and 100 mm deep, in excellent condition.
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Description from the seller
Gabon
Kwélé / bakwélé
Wood
Dimensions:
Height: 410mm
Width: 290mm
Depth: 100mm
This 41 cm tall wooden mask is a stylistic masterpiece from the Kwele people, who live in the dense forests of northern Gabon, the northwest of the Republic of the Congo, and the frontier regions of Cameroon.
This specific model, characterized by its large curved appendages, is called the Pipiboudze mask (or ram mask), one of the most powerful and emblematic archetypes of Congolian basin art.
1. Sleek Stylistic Features and Symbolism
The heart-shaped structure and ram horns: The standout feature of this work lies in its two large stylized horns that rise from the crown of the head, flare outward, and come together under the chin, enclosing the face within a massive heart-shaped protective structure. They symbolize the strength and tenacity of the wild ram.
The almond-shaped anthropomorphic face: The treatment of the central face is typical of the Kwele beauty canons, characterized by an almond-shaped face, half-closed eyes finely stretched into “coffee beans,” and a triangular nose delicately sculpted in relief.
The ritual use of Kaolin: The face is entirely coated with white kaolin (white clay). In Central Africa, white is not merely decorative: it materializes the sacred, clairvoyance, spiritual light, and the direct link with the invisible world of spirits and ancestors.
The internal structure: The back shows a rough central cavity carved with a adze, surrounded by the flat reverse of the horns, making it an object designed to be handled, displayed, or attached to a structure during dances.
2. Social and Ritual Use: The Great Beete Cult
In the social organization of the Kwele, who did not have a centralized chief, village balance and cohesion were constantly threatened by political instability or fear of witchcraft. This mask appeared during major Beete ceremonies:
Fighting community crises: The Beete ritual was triggered during grave events (famines, epidemics, suspicious deaths among notable figures). The Pipiboudze mask, representing a powerful and combative bush spirit, served to purify the village by driving out the miasma of discord and malevolent entities.
The embodiment of protective strength: Unlike Ekuk-type masks, which bring gentleness and sociability to awaken the village’s positive energies, the ram mask embodies brute force, resilience, and the spiritual authority needed to face the most formidable dangers of the invisible.
Unification of the clan: During the several days of Beete ceremonies, songs, ritual hunts, and mask apparitions compelled villagers to lay down their war axes and share a common sacrificial meal, thereby crucially strengthening solidarity and the group’s survival.
Items are shipped with insurance and a tracking number.
Fast and secure shipping. Parcels are sent Monday through Saturday via Colissimo Expert with tracking. Delivery 1–3 days in France, 2–5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery.
Mask African art, African mask art, African mask art, arts of African masks
African art statue, African statue art, African statue art, African mask art
Mask of an African art gallery statue
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateGabon
Kwélé / bakwélé
Wood
Dimensions:
Height: 410mm
Width: 290mm
Depth: 100mm
This 41 cm tall wooden mask is a stylistic masterpiece from the Kwele people, who live in the dense forests of northern Gabon, the northwest of the Republic of the Congo, and the frontier regions of Cameroon.
This specific model, characterized by its large curved appendages, is called the Pipiboudze mask (or ram mask), one of the most powerful and emblematic archetypes of Congolian basin art.
1. Sleek Stylistic Features and Symbolism
The heart-shaped structure and ram horns: The standout feature of this work lies in its two large stylized horns that rise from the crown of the head, flare outward, and come together under the chin, enclosing the face within a massive heart-shaped protective structure. They symbolize the strength and tenacity of the wild ram.
The almond-shaped anthropomorphic face: The treatment of the central face is typical of the Kwele beauty canons, characterized by an almond-shaped face, half-closed eyes finely stretched into “coffee beans,” and a triangular nose delicately sculpted in relief.
The ritual use of Kaolin: The face is entirely coated with white kaolin (white clay). In Central Africa, white is not merely decorative: it materializes the sacred, clairvoyance, spiritual light, and the direct link with the invisible world of spirits and ancestors.
The internal structure: The back shows a rough central cavity carved with a adze, surrounded by the flat reverse of the horns, making it an object designed to be handled, displayed, or attached to a structure during dances.
2. Social and Ritual Use: The Great Beete Cult
In the social organization of the Kwele, who did not have a centralized chief, village balance and cohesion were constantly threatened by political instability or fear of witchcraft. This mask appeared during major Beete ceremonies:
Fighting community crises: The Beete ritual was triggered during grave events (famines, epidemics, suspicious deaths among notable figures). The Pipiboudze mask, representing a powerful and combative bush spirit, served to purify the village by driving out the miasma of discord and malevolent entities.
The embodiment of protective strength: Unlike Ekuk-type masks, which bring gentleness and sociability to awaken the village’s positive energies, the ram mask embodies brute force, resilience, and the spiritual authority needed to face the most formidable dangers of the invisible.
Unification of the clan: During the several days of Beete ceremonies, songs, ritual hunts, and mask apparitions compelled villagers to lay down their war axes and share a common sacrificial meal, thereby crucially strengthening solidarity and the group’s survival.
Items are shipped with insurance and a tracking number.
Fast and secure shipping. Parcels are sent Monday through Saturday via Colissimo Expert with tracking. Delivery 1–3 days in France, 2–5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery.
Mask African art, African mask art, African mask art, arts of African masks
African art statue, African statue art, African statue art, African mask art
Mask of an African art gallery statue
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Era
1900-2000
Material
Wood
Country of origin
Gabon
Condition
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear
Ethnic group/culture
Kwele / Bakwele
Indigenous object name
Purifying flat mask
Sold with stand
No
Estimated period
1970-1980, 1980-1990
Sold by
