Mask - Kwele - Gabon (No reserve price)
01
day
21
hours
22
minutes
55
seconds
 | €5 | |
|---|---|---|
 | €4 | |
| €3 | |
Catawiki Buyer Protection
Your payment’s safe with us until you receive your object.View details
Trustpilot 4.4 | 144426 reviews
Rated Excellent on Trustpilot.
This late 20th-century hand-carved wooden Kwele mask from Gabon has a polychrome patina with white kaolin and restored horns.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Beautiful hand carved wooden mask of the Kwele tribe living in Gabon.
The Kwele use several types of masks in ceremonies to promote harmonious interaction and group solidarity. Kwele masks, many with heart-shaped face, are among the most beautiful forms of African art.
Polychrome patina with white kaolin. Fine face expression, in fair condition with traces of wear and tear. The horns are restored.
Known in the literature as a mask depicting the head of a ram, this type shows a central heartshaped face encircled entirely by horns that run all around it to meet at the chin. On the upper part of each of the two horns, a simplified pair of eyes is engraved. The mask itself has a nice and deep case to enclose and hide the face of the dancer. Such masks, named buoobkuk or face of a forest spirit, were danced by members of a local chapter of the Bwiti society in the culthouse of the village. These dance sessions were organized to honour the spirits of the bush, seeking thereby their support and protection for the activities of the community, especially in the hunt.
Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided.
Seller's Story
Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art
We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins.
Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins.
For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.
Beautiful hand carved wooden mask of the Kwele tribe living in Gabon.
The Kwele use several types of masks in ceremonies to promote harmonious interaction and group solidarity. Kwele masks, many with heart-shaped face, are among the most beautiful forms of African art.
Polychrome patina with white kaolin. Fine face expression, in fair condition with traces of wear and tear. The horns are restored.
Known in the literature as a mask depicting the head of a ram, this type shows a central heartshaped face encircled entirely by horns that run all around it to meet at the chin. On the upper part of each of the two horns, a simplified pair of eyes is engraved. The mask itself has a nice and deep case to enclose and hide the face of the dancer. Such masks, named buoobkuk or face of a forest spirit, were danced by members of a local chapter of the Bwiti society in the culthouse of the village. These dance sessions were organized to honour the spirits of the bush, seeking thereby their support and protection for the activities of the community, especially in the hunt.
Shipping within 24 hours after the payment is received. Tracking number will be provided.
Seller's Story
Asian African Art is a gallery specialized in authentic ethnographic art. Lately we are mainly focused on African Art
We also have a specialism in golden collectable coins.
Your order is in safe hands, we have more than 50 years experience in coins.
For more interesting items please visit our website: Asian African Art, located in the Netherlands.
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Kwele
Country of Origin
Gabon
Period
Late 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Fair condition
Title of artwork
Mask
Height
31 cm
Width
26 cm
Depth
7 cm
Weight
320 g
Sold by
