This is the rating and price for African Chokwe Wood Mwana Pwo Mask

Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chokwe people, ca. mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden mask displaying an interesting female face with squinting, slit-form eyes, a thin nose, arching eyebrows, cupped ears, and a slightly open mouth full of jagged teeth, all in a lustrous glossy brown color. Facial scarification marks are present on the corners of the mouth, outsides of both eyes, and in the center of the forehead, and a pair of cross-shaped scar markings adorn both cheeks. The peripheries are perforated in order to attach a large textile costume, and perforations on the ears suggest additional ornamentation was once present. Size: 6.75 W x 8.5 H (17.1 cm x 21.6 cm). This mask may symbolize the figure of Mwana Pwo, an archetypal female ancestor, socially significant particularly because the Chokwe trace their ancestry through their maternal lines. The scars on the face are an indicator of beauty as well as ethnic identity. Masks from this culture are often used at initiation rites to welcome people into the adult world, and masks of Mwana Pwo are meant to symbolize the end of the relationship between mother and son, as the son has now become a man. Provenance: private Eason Eige collection, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids. We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience. #131221
Price: 684.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 600 USD-900 USD It's free to register now to view!

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