This kwele mask, analyzed with carbon 14 by the "KIKIRPA" (Royal Institute of Artistic Heritage) whose results were confirmed by the Ciram laboratory on the initiative of Mr. Pierre Dartevelle, was acquired by a renowned French collector (the identity will be communicated to the purchaser). With a beautiful symmetry, this two-tone mask presents the traditional criteria of kwele masks, whose heart-shaped, concave orbits extend widely over the face, above a fine ridged mouth. Height on base: 39 cm. Tribe of the Kota group, the Kwélé , Bakwélé , live in the forest on the northern border of the Republic of Congo. They live from hunting, agriculture and metallurgy. Practicing the cult called Bwété borrowed from the Ngwyes, which was accompanied by obligatory initiation rites, they used at the end of the ceremonies the masks ekuk evoking the antelope whose horns meet loop under the chin. The blood of the antelope was also used among the Kwélé for therapeutic purposes. They produce rare statues linked to the initiation rites of young people.
This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
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