Mask - Congo (No reserve price)

African Chokwe Mwana Pwo mask. A mask representing aesthetically refined features. Notable, finely carved scarifications are visible. Among them, the famous traditional cross on the forehead. Under the eyes, motifs illustrate tears. The mouth, meanwhile, is astonishingly realistic and reveals teeth cut to a point, very fashionable in the early 20th century in the Congo and Angola. The reddish patina was obtained by applying a red pigment called tukula.

This masculine Chokwe mask was worn by men. It depicts the beautiful young woman “Mwana Pwo” who leaves her family to live with her husband. It is the female counterpart of another mask: the Ci Hongo. The quality of sculpture, undeniable antiquity, and the numerous times this mask has been worn make it a must-have piece for any collector seeking a fine, rare masterpiece.