Kwele Gon mask
Gon masks, emblematic of the Kwele tribal art of Gabon and northern Congo-Brazzaville, represent the gorilla, a mythical ancestor and lord of the earth in the Beete cult.
These zoomorphic pieces, carved from lightweight wood such as Alstonia congensis, exaggerate the features of the gorilla's skull: a prominent, domed forehead, an elongated and protruding snout, deep-set eyes, and a powerful jaw.
The Kwele Gon mask embodies a fierce presence used to ward off witchcraft, restore clan harmony, and honor ancestral lineages.
Worn by a dancer wrapped in raffia, it emerged from the darkness, projecting a supernatural aura during initiation or mourning rites, reinforcing Bakwele social cohesion.
02585
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- 2nd half XXth
- Size
- 26 cm (41 cm with support)
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Importante portuguese coll. (Belém)
- Stand
- Included
- Condition
- Excellent
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Gon masks, emblematic of the Kwele tribal art of Gabon and northern Congo-Brazzaville, represent the gorilla, a mythical ancestor and lord of the earth in the Beete cult.
These zoomorphic pieces, carved from lightweight wood such as Alstonia congensis, exaggerate the features of the gorilla's skull: a prominent, domed forehead, an elongated and protruding snout, deep-set eyes, and a powerful jaw.
The Kwele Gon mask embodies a fierce presence used to ward off witchcraft, restore clan harmony, and honor ancestral lineages.
Worn by a dancer wrapped in raffia, it emerged from the darkness, projecting a supernatural aura during initiation or mourning rites, reinforcing Bakwele social cohesion.