Superb mask "mwana pwo" - Chokwe - Angola
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
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Estimate € 1,300 - € 1,500
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Superb 'mwana pwo' mask from the Chokwe people in Angola, dating to the early 20th century, 24 cm high by 15 cm wide, provenance: private collection, in excellent condition, authentic/original.
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Description from the seller
Colonial mask "Mwana Pwo" Chokwe
Angola
Height: 24 cm
Max width: 15 cm
Period: 1930s
Materials: hard and dense wood, tukula, kaolin
Provenance: Paulo Akam collection - Portugal; Isi Janssens collection - Belgium; Belgian private collection
The Mwana Pwo masks generally feature large eyes shaped like a coffee bean or almond, partially closed; a long fine nose; curved ears and flattened, protruding lips framing pointed, shaved teeth which are here very present and enhanced with kaolin (white river clay). As for the facial motifs, they indicate scarification marks or tattoos received during childhood or adolescence. In these communal male initiations, Pwo masks appear to educate the crowd, to entertain, but above all to keep women away from the place where the sacred rites take place. These masked figures are typically seen as the spirits of the deceased taking a physical form.
This Pwo Chokwe mask, originating from a private Portuguese collection, has undoubtedly been carved by a Songo. (ethnicity from central Angola attached to the Mbundu major group)
This mask is what is called a colonial mask because it did not dance during the Mukanda, the initiation of young boys who will be separated from their mothers to be circumcised.
But this mask has been beautifully carved, in a traditional manner by a renowned Songo sculptor active during the first half of the 20th century. (see a similar mask in the last photograph)
Careful, insured delivery with tracking number.
Colonial mask "Mwana Pwo" Chokwe
Angola
Height: 24 cm
Max width: 15 cm
Period: 1930s
Materials: hard and dense wood, tukula, kaolin
Provenance: Paulo Akam collection - Portugal; Isi Janssens collection - Belgium; Belgian private collection
The Mwana Pwo masks generally feature large eyes shaped like a coffee bean or almond, partially closed; a long fine nose; curved ears and flattened, protruding lips framing pointed, shaved teeth which are here very present and enhanced with kaolin (white river clay). As for the facial motifs, they indicate scarification marks or tattoos received during childhood or adolescence. In these communal male initiations, Pwo masks appear to educate the crowd, to entertain, but above all to keep women away from the place where the sacred rites take place. These masked figures are typically seen as the spirits of the deceased taking a physical form.
This Pwo Chokwe mask, originating from a private Portuguese collection, has undoubtedly been carved by a Songo. (ethnicity from central Angola attached to the Mbundu major group)
This mask is what is called a colonial mask because it did not dance during the Mukanda, the initiation of young boys who will be separated from their mothers to be circumcised.
But this mask has been beautifully carved, in a traditional manner by a renowned Songo sculptor active during the first half of the 20th century. (see a similar mask in the last photograph)
Careful, insured delivery with tracking number.
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
Authenticity
Original/official
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