Antelope mask - Wood - Kwele - Gabon

Antelope mask Kwélé Culture, Gabon First half of the 20th century Wood and pigments Height: 59 - Length: 25 cm - Thickness: 10 cm Carved softwood face mask depicting a stylized antelope, with geometric features and topped by a large pair of hooked horns. The temples are outlined in an angular cutout and are topped by a pair of pointed ears. The mask is entirely covered in light pigments, with openwork almond-shaped eyes and a straight snout. The inner parts of the horns and ears are pigmented with pale pink, while the outer edges and the lines of the eyelids are highlighted with black. These zoomorphic masks represented the spirits of the bush.