Kwele, Horned Mask "Ekuk"
43 cm (1' 5"), Gabon

The Kwele inhabit the tri-border area between the Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic. Their masks, sought after by collectors, symbolize the connection to nature, the forest, and its creatures. The horns sweeping over and beside the head symbolically represent this union. The depicted mask shows an almost graphically designed face in kaolin white and fire-stained dark brown. The eyes are set within a heart-shaped facial area, while the nose is represented by a triangle. The mouth, with its ends drawn upwards, gives the mask a benign expression. It is said that these masks are not or rarely danced, but are merely present at ceremonies. This is an authentic object of great significance.
Collection: G.F. Vesely, AT