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LOT 2339
African Wooden Ceremonial 'Forest Spirit' Face Mask
KWELE TRIBE, EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY A.D.
19 5/8 in. (1.2 kg, 50 cm).
Carved wooden 'Four Faces Forest Spirit Mask' from Gabon, displaying flat surfaces with whitened heart-shaped faces each with a triangular nose, coffee-bean eyes and small or non-existent mouth; the two large carved horns represent the antelope. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceFrom Gabon, West Africa.
From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
The faces are usually painted in white kaolin earth, a pigment associated by the Kwele with light and clarity, the two essential factors in the fight against evil. The Kwele occupy a great forest region on the borders of Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of Congo.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Fertility Figure
Ashanti Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Carved from dark-coloured, lightweight wood in traditional form and dyed dark brown; with a large, round head, plain hairstyle, large eyes and typical tribal scarification marks on the forehead. 159 grams, 31.5 cm
From Ghana, West Africa. Ex private collection of Mr.N.J., Leicester, UK. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Among the Ashanti people in Ghana, women hoping for offspring carry these ‘Akuaba dolls’ in their clothes. Traditionally, these ‘Akuaba’ have a large, round, flat head that is reminiscent of its origin as a representation of the moon goddess, which is associated with fertility. Once the ‘Akuaba’ figure has fulfilled its purpose, the mother of the desired child places it on her domestic altar, where it is worshipped in a shrine, or she passes it on to the next generation. -
African Wooden 'Akuaba Doll' Wedding Fertility Figure Pair
Ashanti Tribe, early-mid 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £26
Each with exaggerated discoid head, squat body with stub arms, standing on a conical base. 985 grams total, 36-36.5 cm
From Ghana, West Africa. Ex private Cheshire, UK, collection. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Among the Ashanti people in Ghana, women hoping for offspring carry these ‘Akuaba dolls’ in their clothes. Traditionally, these ‘Akuaba’ have a large, round, flat head that is reminiscent of its origin as a representation of the moon goddess, which is associated with fertility. Once the ‘Akuaba’ figure has fulfilled its purpose, the mother of the desired child places it on her domestic altar, where it is worshipped in a shrine, or she passes it on to the next generation. -
African Wooden Ceremonial Face Mask
Senufo Tribe, 20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £59
Carved with an oval face, pointed chin, a flat nose, slit eyes, an open mouth; animal figure presented on top and some scarification. 715 grams, 36 cm
From Burkina Faso, West Africa. From the estate of a West Sussex, UK, collector. From the property of a late Lincolnshire, UK, gentleman.
Several types of masks are used depending upon the occasion. The Kpelie, a human face with projections all around, is said to remind initiates of human imperfection.
