Chokwe Mwana Pwo Angola Mask

Authentic African chokwé/tshokwe mask from private French collection. Dating: c. 1960. Dimensions: 23 cm. Materials: wood, ropes. Provenance: ex private collection, France. Provided with certificate of origin from an independent expert. The African pwo mask, whose name means "woman", illustrates the first female ancestor in traditional chokwe culture which is, let us remember, matrilineal. When the dancer asks the sculptor to make a pwo mask for him, he symbolically presents him with a copper ring corresponding to the "price" of the bride. He thus concludes a mystical marriage with the mask. The dancer wears the mask accompanied by a full-length costume macramé of vegetable cords. Here, the open mouth reveals the teeth sculpted for an aesthetic purpose in the chokwe as in some other ethnic groups of the south congo and northern Angola. Feminized dance requires a fly-hunt or rattlesnake as an accessory. This pwo mask (or mwana pwo) was used in the initiation rites of boys called mukanda. It was accompanied by a male mask ci hongo which you will find copies of in our African art gallery. Shipping within 24 working hours. Tracking number included. Discount against signature.

Ref. : 29UF26V5