Superb mask "mwana pwo" - Chokwe - Angola
06
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Current bid
€ 460
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 1,300 - € 1,500
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 Bidder 4501 | €460 | |
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The superb mask “mwana pwo” by the Chokwe from Angola, dating to the early 20th century, stands 24 cm high and 15 cm wide, with provenance from a private collection and in excellent condition.
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Description from the seller
Colonial mask "Mwana Pwo" Chokwe
Angola
Height: 24 cm
Maximum width: 15 cm
Period: 1930s
Materials: hard and dense wood, tukula, kaolin
Provenance: Paulo Akam collection - Portugal; Isi Janssens collection - Belgium; Belgian private collection
Mwana Pwo masks typically have large eyes, either coffee-bean or almond-shaped, partly closed; a long, slender nose; curved ears and flattened, protruding lips that frame pointed, filed teeth, which are clearly visible here and enhanced with kaolin (white river clay). As for them, the carved facial patterns indicate scarification marks or tattoos received during childhood or adolescence. In these community male initiations, the Pwo masks appear to educate the crowd, entertain them, but above all to keep women away from the place where the sacred rites take place. These masked figures are generally seen as the spirits of the deceased taking a physical form.
This Pwo Chokwe mask, from a private Portuguese collection, has undoubtedly been carved by a Songo. (an ethnic group in central Angola linked to the larger Mbundu group)
This mask is what is commonly called a 'colon' mask, because it did not dance during the Mukanda, the initiation of young boys who will be separated from their mothers to be circumcised there.
But this mask has been magnificently carved, in a traditional manner by a renowned Songo sculptor who was active during the first half of the 20th century. (see a similar mask in the last photograph)
Delivery guaranteed (Bpost)
Colonial mask "Mwana Pwo" Chokwe
Angola
Height: 24 cm
Maximum width: 15 cm
Period: 1930s
Materials: hard and dense wood, tukula, kaolin
Provenance: Paulo Akam collection - Portugal; Isi Janssens collection - Belgium; Belgian private collection
Mwana Pwo masks typically have large eyes, either coffee-bean or almond-shaped, partly closed; a long, slender nose; curved ears and flattened, protruding lips that frame pointed, filed teeth, which are clearly visible here and enhanced with kaolin (white river clay). As for them, the carved facial patterns indicate scarification marks or tattoos received during childhood or adolescence. In these community male initiations, the Pwo masks appear to educate the crowd, entertain them, but above all to keep women away from the place where the sacred rites take place. These masked figures are generally seen as the spirits of the deceased taking a physical form.
This Pwo Chokwe mask, from a private Portuguese collection, has undoubtedly been carved by a Songo. (an ethnic group in central Angola linked to the larger Mbundu group)
This mask is what is commonly called a 'colon' mask, because it did not dance during the Mukanda, the initiation of young boys who will be separated from their mothers to be circumcised there.
But this mask has been magnificently carved, in a traditional manner by a renowned Songo sculptor who was active during the first half of the 20th century. (see a similar mask in the last photograph)
Delivery guaranteed (Bpost)
Details
Ethnic group/ culture
Chokwe
Country of Origin
Angola
Period
Early 20th century
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Excellent condition
Title of artwork
Superb mask "mwana pwo"
Height
24 cm
Width
15 cm
Provenance
Private collection
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