Kwele Mask

Ancient anthropomorphic kwélé mask in wood coated with kaolin. The kwélé, living on the northern border of the congo, are known for their highly stylized masks, whether anthropomorphic, then called pibibuze, or zoomorphic then called ekuk. Highly stylized pieces with recognizable shapes, they present soft curves and an overall harmony. Often, the expression is given by the play of contrast created by the use of kaolin on certain areas of the mask. The white facies is in the form of a heart highlighted by the overall dark patina of the rest of the piece. Dense wood with erosion. These masks were exhibited during the celebration of the bwete cult, an event lasting several days during which the men went hunting in the forest while the women and children remained in the village.