Interiors & Decorations

Jewellery & Precious Stones

Watches, Pens & Lighters

Fashion

Coins & Stamps

Comics & Animation

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia

Wine, Whisky & Spirits

Asian & Tribal Art

Trading Cards

Toys & Models

Archaeology & Natural History

Sports

Music, Movies & Cameras

Books & Historical Memorabilia

The finest objects brought to you by {name}

Dimitri André

CARACTÉRISTIQUES
Hauteur : 32 cm (51 cm avec socle)
Matériau : bois


PROVENANCE - ORIGIN
Private collection, France (2003-2021)
Collection Dr. Kremer, Switzerland (collection 1951)

Référence bibliographique : Barbier Mueller, Sculpture, les chefs-d'œuvre du musée Barbier Mueller. Publisher: Editions Imprimerie Nationale ; Publication Date: 1995.




DESCRIPTION
Les masques kwele, de différentes formes, étaient tous plus ou moins directement liés à la société initiatique masculine du beete, qui regroupait les notables et les guerriers Ses rites, organisés pour des occasions communautaires (initiations, funérailles, deuils, chasses, etc.), permettaient de mobiliser les forces magiques des ancêtres et des esprits de la forêt en vue de résoudre des situations de crise ou plus habituellement de favoriser la vie collective du village - et spécialement la chasse (l'activité préférée des Kwele qui
vivent dans un milieu de grande forêt équatoriale, celle-ci étant particulièrement giboyeuse, au nord du Congo- Brazzaville, dans le bassin du Djah et de la Ngoko). La possession de ces masques était une marque de puissance sociale et politique. Certains de ces objets ont été utilisés lors de danses publiques, mais beaucoup d'autres ont été conservés au secret comme emblèmes de notabilité ces masques-là ne présentant pas de patine d'usage.


Here is a real museum piece, an old Kwele mask (Gabonese forests) bearing obvious signs of ritual use.
Ogival in shape, this massive mask features a heart-shaped face dear to Bakwele sculptors.
This concave face is encrusted with red pigment.
The mouth is absent while the eyes are drooping lined with dark pigment (khol) and the triangular nose.

These masks are known as pebood or pipibudze.
Like the other Kwele masks, this one was linked to the Beete society, see image for more ritual information.

A mask of this type is on the cover of the book Sculpture - masterpieces of the Barbier-Mueller Museum (see image).


SECTEUR
Art africain, Afrique, art tribal, art premier, art primitif

Mid 20th century - Excellent condition

Kwele mask - Beete company - Gabon

African & Tribal Art

Reserve price

No reserve price

Buy now

Closing date

tomorrow

Sunday

Monday

Saturday

14 January

Friday

Tuesday

Budget

From

Location

France

Belgium

Spain

Italy

The Netherlands

Germany

Luxembourg

Austria

Portugal

United States

Japan

Romania

Slovak Republic

Dimensions

Height

Width

Depth

Object

Tribal masks

Tribal art and objects

Dance mask

Figure

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Mask

Sculpture

Tribal textiles and clothing

Textile

Fetish figure

Statue

Carving

Tribal jewellery and adornments

Spoon

Catalogue

Bracelet

Giclée

Ancestor figure

Comb

Headrest

Painting

Carpet

Pipe

Country of origin

Congo

DR Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Gabon

Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire

Africa

Cameroon

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Benin

Burkina Faso

Ghana

South Africa

Chad

Ethiopia

Kenya

Tanzania

Angola

Liberia

Morocco

Niger

Sierra Leone

Material

Wood

Bronze

Terracotta

Copper

Aluminium

Brass

Metal

Iron (wrought)

Bone

Leather

Patinated bronze

Shell

Steel

Textiles

Silver

Earthenware

Horn

Gilt bronze

Black calcite

Bakelite

Iron (cast/wrought)

Wool

Glass

Stone

Gender

Unisex

Condition

Good condition

Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Excellent condition

Fair condition

Good

Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

Needs restoration

Good condition, see description

Overall in fair condition with traces of ageing and usage

Poor

Excellent

As new - unused

Excellent condition, barely used with minimal signs of wear

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Extras

No extra's

Period

Late 20th century

1940-1950

1930-1940

2000-2010

Mid 20th century

1950-1960

1920-1930

1990-2000

Early 20th century

1960-1970

1980-1990

1970-1980

2020+

1900-1910

2010-2020

21st century

1910-1920

1850-1900

20th century

Early 19th century

Late 19th century

Certification

No laboratory report

Style

Antique

Folk Art

Ancient Asian

Modern

Vintage

Classical

Akkadian

Technique

Acrylic painting

Digital print

Signature

Not signed

Hand signed

Signed

Original

Plate signed

Binding

Hardback

Edition

Limited edition

1st Edition

Language

English

Swedish

Colour

Brown

Black

Blue

White

African & Tribal Art

This object is no longer available, but there’s still lots to explore

Kwele mask - Beete company - Gabon

Popular in African & Tribal Art

612 objects

Related collections