Mask "mwana pwo" ·  D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3037796

Description

wood, shiny blackish brown patina, kaolin, the play between concave and convex surfaces gives this piece a unique sculptural strength and the light surface decoration emphasizes the plastic balance; this mask rests between the two extreme characteristics of Chokwe art, geometric abstraction and a realism firmly based on the observation of nature, pierced around the rim, rep. (breakage at the back of the head), small missing parts (forehead, right cheek), slight traces of abrasion, fine cracks;
a mask by the same artist can be found at Sotheby’s, Tribal Art, 21st June 1993, lot 190. Several characteristics in the treatment of the face bring it closer to the style of the small Mbagani group, particularly the rings around the eyes and mouth.

The object Mask “mwana pwo” with the object ID 3037796 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 423.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Sotheby's London, 21st June 1993, lot 190 (comparable object)