Selected:

No.47 Chokwe "Mwana Pwo" Mask

No.47 Chokwe “Mwana Pwo” Mask

Wood, metal and coin earrings – Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1957)

Origin: Southern Africa (Angola region)

Interesting facts: Most Chokwe are found in Angola or Congo DRC. Known as pwo (woman) or mwana pwo (young pretty woman), this type of mask is worn by men whose outfits include breasts carved in wood and fastened to their netted costume. This mask evokes female ancestors, who are responsible for guarding the community’s fertility. The mask represents a beautiful woman with balanced features, high cheekbones, filed teeth, and delicate scarifications on her forehead. Notably this mask has a Cingelyengelye marking (triangular marks on the centre of the forehead representing the Chokwe creator god, Nzambi). Kangongo scarification is further demonstrated with a line carved down the nose. The mask further has kapile scarification (patterns on the chin). This mask is particularly special due to the metal earrings (Rhodesia and Nyasaland coins).  Fine patina.

 

The collection includes several fine examples of Mwana Pwo masks.

 

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Wood, filed teeth, metal and coin earrings – Rhodesia and Nyasaland (1957)

Origin: Southern Africa (Angola region)

 

 

 

Weight 0.5 kg
Dimensions 26 × 15 × 10 cm
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