{"product_id":"kwele-mask-d-r-congo-sku-m805","title":"Kwele Mask, D.R. Congo | SKU: M805","description":"\u003ctable style=\"width: 99.8182%; height: 23.6719px;\" width=\"100%\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"height: 23.6719px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.9079%; text-align: center; height: 23.6719px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch6\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hemingwaygallery.nyc\/collections\/decorative-masks\" title=\"View All African Masks\" target=\"_blank\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eAll Masks\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"width: 49.9079%; text-align: center; height: 23.6719px;\"\u003e\n\u003ch6 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/hemingwaygallery.nyc\/collections\/decorative-african-art\" title=\"View All Decorative Art\" target=\"_blank\"\u003eAll Decorative Art\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKwele Mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo Description of Significance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eKwele masks come from the Kwele people of Gabon, the Republic of Congo, and Cameroon, and they hold deep spiritual meaning. These masks, with their elegant blend of human and antelope features, were used in Bwete rituals to bring protection, harmony, and a connection to the spirit world. Unlike most African masks made for dance, Kwele masks were displayed during ceremonies rather than worn, acting as a bridge between people and the unseen forces of the forest. Their heart-shaped faces, gentle almond eyes, and sweeping horns symbolize strength and guidance. Traditionally carved from lightweight wood and painted with white kaolin, they were believed to channel ancestral wisdom. The modern mask described here, sculpted in the Democratic Republic of Congo, beautifully reflects the Kwele artistic tradition, though its role is more decorative than spiritual.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry of Origin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHand carved in D.R. Congo\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions (inches)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDepth: 4\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWidth: 11.5\" \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHeight: 17\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSustainable Materials\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatural paint and stain\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIndigenous wood\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWall Hanging: the mask includes a wire installed on the back for easy wall hanging.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch6 dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSubsidized U.S. FedEx Ground shipping: $30\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmaller pieces are shipped via FedEx Ground in a secure box, with careful packaging to ensure safe delivery. To make fine art shipping more affordable, we subsidize part of the cost.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli aria-level=\"1\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp role=\"presentation\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEach shipment includes a declared value, requiring a signature upon delivery for added security.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Hemingway African Gallery","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45816641814585,"sku":"M805","price":295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0076\/1190\/8196\/files\/M805.jpg?v=1778258513","url":"https:\/\/hemingwaygallery.nyc\/products\/kwele-mask-d-r-congo-sku-m805","provider":"Hemingway African Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}