Mask "mwana pwo" ·  R. D. Congo, Tchokwé · ID: 3034462

Description

wood, shiny reddish brown patina, black paint, of oval form with tribe-typical facial features and scarification marks, pierced around the rim, slight traces of abrasion, metal base;
depicting a female ancestor, whereupon the Chokwe distinguish two characters: “pwo”, a mature, adult woman and “mwana pwo”, the younger female. Masks with few scarification details are more often said to represent the younger character.

Littérature comparée

Wastiau, Boris, Visions of Africa: Chokwe, Mailand 2006, pl. 64