African Kwele Mask

African Kwele Mask
$99-00

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African Kwele Mask - Gabon

Size: 38 cm

The Kwele masks originate from the rain forests of Gabon on the western coast of Africa and are hand carved by the Bwete association. The Kwele masks represent the spirits of the forest and the bush and are used during initiation ceremonies and or at the end of a mourning period to promote well-being within a community. The Kwele masks act as intermediaries between the world of the bush and that of the village.

The Kwele masks have human features and animal features such as antelopes (horns which always point downwards), male gorillas (the crest across the skull, the visor-shaped brow) and perhaps from a mythical animal. The 'eyes' are narrow, almond-shaped slits or cowry-shaped eyes (wide arced eyebrows) with a small pointed triangular nose. The face of the masks are normally painted with white kaolin The white coloring on the Kwele masks represents the spirit world (peace and tranquility) Eyehole's are not always apparent. The Kwele mask is mostly heart shaped with the mount being very close to the chin.

Kwele mask are not worn in ceremonies and are instead shown to the spectators.

Each Kwele mask is an "original" work of art, individually hand carved, no two are exactly alike which adds to the value of each piece. The original nature of tribal art will be reflected by variances from the Kwele mask as shown, each piece of a specific style is similar, but not identical.