A very fine female Mwana Pwo mask from the Tschokwe tribe, DR Congo
The Chokwe are well known for art objects produced to celebrate and validate the royal court.

Expressive dance mask that represents the ideal type of woman Mwana PWO.
Artful coiffure of fibres, coloured with Tukula powder.

Mwana Pwo mask with beautiful brownish patina.
The scarification marks, which may duplicate those of the actual woman whose beauty inspired the carver, include the cingelyengelye design on the forehead. This cruciform design was probably derived from tin pendants traded into the Chokwe region by Portuguese voyagers as early as the seventeenth century.

Material: mask carved from hardwood, mask face brownish black sweating layered patina. The mask has hair made from rope.
Condition: Fine aged condition, signs of age and use.

Provenance: former private German collection.




Object

Mwana Pwo mask



Ethnic group:

Chokwe



Country:

DR Congo



Material:

Wood, Textile



Estimated period:

Mid 20th century



Sold with stand:

No



Dimensions:

30x20x18 cm



Weight:

780 gram



Condition:

Good condition, used with some signs of wear

Reserve: $350.00

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Location: This item ships from The Netherlands .

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