Kwele mask. Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century

Kwele mask. Democratic Republic of the Congo, 20th century.
Carved wood with traces of polychrome paint.
Measurements: 42 x 20.5 x 11 cm.

The Kwele are a group from Gabon and Cameroon who fled the coast in the 19th century. Their masks are well known and highly prized; they are associated with the organization known as Beete, which maintains social order, and are also used in initiation rites and at the end of periods of mourning. They are believed to represent benevolent spirits and may depict animals, people, or a combination of both. They are typically painted with kaolin, which is associated with clarity and light.