Kwele mask - Gabon (No reserve price)
04
days
18
hours
35
minutes
56
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €1 |
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Masque Kwele, an original wooden mask from Gabon of the Kwélé culture, measuring 30 cm high by 25 cm wide, in excellent condition.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
The Kwélés masks embody the benevolent forest spirits, and for this reason they are characterized by their animal and human traits, either combined or separate. The faces are whitened with kaolin (white and friable clay).
The white color of the Kwélés masks evokes light, death, and the struggle against malevolent forces and spirits.
The eyes are very stylized, with a very fine slit that makes it difficult for the dancers who wear them to see in front of them.
These masks are linked to the Bweté cult, which lasts a week: hunters enter the forest to catch an antelope in order to eat its meat for the entire village; while waiting for the forest men to return, masked dancers invite the villagers to participate in the dance and the festivities.
Seller's Story
Totem Galerie– African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to the discovery and celebration of both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery brings together a refined selection of sculptures, masks, ritual objects, and artworks from various African cultures and ethnic groups, reflecting the richness and diversity of artistic expression across the continent.
Each piece is chosen for its aesthetic quality, authenticity, and history, offering collectors, enthusiasts, and curious visitors an immersion into the symbolic and spiritual world of African art. Bridging tradition and modernity, Totem Galerie highlights ancient works full of meaning while also creating a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Totem Galerie is a cultural bridge where art becomes a medium of transmission, emotion, and universal dialogue.
Translated by Google TranslateThe Kwélés masks embody the benevolent forest spirits, and for this reason they are characterized by their animal and human traits, either combined or separate. The faces are whitened with kaolin (white and friable clay).
The white color of the Kwélés masks evokes light, death, and the struggle against malevolent forces and spirits.
The eyes are very stylized, with a very fine slit that makes it difficult for the dancers who wear them to see in front of them.
These masks are linked to the Bweté cult, which lasts a week: hunters enter the forest to catch an antelope in order to eat its meat for the entire village; while waiting for the forest men to return, masked dancers invite the villagers to participate in the dance and the festivities.
Seller's Story
Totem Galerie– African Art Gallery is a space dedicated to the discovery and celebration of both traditional and contemporary African art. The gallery brings together a refined selection of sculptures, masks, ritual objects, and artworks from various African cultures and ethnic groups, reflecting the richness and diversity of artistic expression across the continent.
Each piece is chosen for its aesthetic quality, authenticity, and history, offering collectors, enthusiasts, and curious visitors an immersion into the symbolic and spiritual world of African art. Bridging tradition and modernity, Totem Galerie highlights ancient works full of meaning while also creating a dialogue with the contemporary creations of today’s African artists.
More than just a gallery, Totem Galerie is a cultural bridge where art becomes a medium of transmission, emotion, and universal dialogue.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Country of Origin
Gabon
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Kwele mask
Height
30 cm
Width
25 cm
Authenticity
Original/official
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