Ceremonial mask - Kwele / Bakwele - Gabon

Gabon / Congo DR Kwélé / Bakwété Wood Height: 325mm Width: 200mm Depth: 110mm This 32.5 cm tall wooden mask is a highly stylized and abstract work from the Kwele (or Bakwele) people, an ethnicity living in the dense forests of northern Gabon, the north‑west of the Republic of Congo, and the southern borders of Cameroon. Kwele art is celebrated for its pared‑down forms and bold geometric compositions, which profoundly impressed Western avant-garde artists in the early 20th century. 1. Stylistic Characteristics and Composition This structure is emblematic of Kwele culture, though less common than the classic flat masks: The multiplication of eyes: The front face is strictly symmetrically divided around a central vertical ridge or keel in relief. On either side of this line, the surface features a vertical repetition of almond-shaped or coffee-bean openings, creating a striking six‑eye pattern (three paired rows). The contrasted use of pigment (kaolin): The insides of the eye slits and the reliefs around them bear traces of white kaolin. This contrast between the dark patina of the rest of the wooden surface and the chalky white highlights the geometric structure and underscores the object’s spiritual nature (white is traditionally associated with the world of spirits and the afterlife). The absence of a distinct mouth and nose: True to the Kwele sculptors’ formal simplification quest, the face omits classical anatomical elements in favor of a purely graphic and hypnotic expression. The internal structure: The reverse side shows a deep, regular monoxylous hollow, carved with a froe, allowing the object to be adapted or manipulated during rituals. 2. Use and Ritual Significance: The Beete Cult In traditional Kwele society, village life was paced by the need to maintain strict social harmony to ward off sorcery. The masks intervened almost exclusively within the frame of the great purification ritual known as Beete: A catalyst for communal harmony: The Beete ritual could last several days and was organized to address a major crisis (epidemic, famine, internal conflicts, or successive deaths of notable figures). Before it began, all village quarrels had to be appeased. The masks would then emerge to embody the benevolent forces of the bush. Activation of benevolent forces: Unlike in other cultures where masks are fearsome, Kwele masks aimed to entertain, dance, and awaken the community’s positive energy. Through their movements, they drove away the heavy and malevolent atmosphere that had settled over the village. Spiritual ubiquity: The multiplication of eyes on this specific model (polyoptic or multi-faced mask) reinforces the symbolism of double sight or omniscient vision. It represents an entity capable of scrutinizing the invisible, exposing hidden intentions, and watching all directions at once to protect the clan from hidden sorcery. In short, this 32.5 cm Kwele mask is a superb testament to a conceptual art where aesthetic form serves as a therapeutic and social tool indispensable to the village’s cohesion and spiritual survival. Packages are shipped Monday through Saturday with insurance and tracking number. Delivery in France within 1 to 3 days via Chronopost, 2 to 5 days throughout the European Union. Delivery to the rest of Europe and worldwide via Colissimo international. We speak english Mask african art Afrikanische Maskenkunst arte de máscaras africanas arte delle maschere africane statue african art Arte de estatuas africanas arte delle statue africane Afrikanische Maskenkunst Máscara de estatua de galería de arte africano

Stima:€150

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