Central African Chokwe Mwana Pwo Style Carved Wooden Mask

Item Details

Wood

A Central African carved wooden mask, similar to the Mwana Pwo masks used in ceremonial dances by the Chokwe people of Angola, Zambia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The mask represents an idealized female figure with long flowing hair, half-closed eyes and open mouth. The mask is depicted wearing a headband of cowrie shell adornments, with incised scarification marks that include a cingelyengelye symbol to the forehead and masoji tear marks below each eye. The mask’s headdress of long hair is made with a series of many small wooden rods strung together. No maker’s marks or signatures were found.

Condition

- scratches, marks and scuffing to wood; kinks to woven areas; discoloration and areas of finish loss; wear to woven threads.

Dimensions

Item #

18BOS015-776