This is the rating and price for Chokwe Pwo (Female) Carved Wood Mask

Description : Africa, Angola/Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chokwe peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A delicate Pwo (female) carved wooden mask with a serene expression, bold facial features including half closed eyes with concave sockets, a slender nose, full lips, and daintily modeled ears with perforations for ornaments, intricate scarification designs, and an elaborate coiffure and headdress inlaid with soft stone pebbles or possibly bone pieces. There are also perforations on the periphery of the face for attaching collar of raffia or other fibers. Such maiden spirit masks were traditionally created to honor the founding female ancestors of the Chokwe peoples. The original Chokwe name pwo referred to an adult woman who had given birth. The later name mwana pwo, most likely adopted under European influences, puts the emphasis on youthful, feminine beauty. Female pwo masks are particularly significant, because the Chokwe trace their descent through their mother's ancestral lines. Pwo masks are used along with their male counterparts, Cihongo, to ensure fertility and prosperity to a village. The impressive inscribed and relief scarification marks on the cheeks and forehead of the visage represent graphic motifs that not only embellished a woman's beauty but also held symbolic value. The prominent central cruciform on her forehead, for instance, is a favored motif that some scholars have interpreted as a cosmogram. Others have suggested that this cruciform design called a cingelyengelye was derived from medals that Capuchin monks from the Order of Christ of Portugal traded into the Chokwe region as early as the seventeenth century. A breathtaking example of this important form of visual culture from the Chokwe culture revealing a high level of artistry and technique. Comparable examples have sold for 6 figures at Sotheby's and Christie's! Size: 7.25 W x 12.5 H (18.4 cm x 31.8 cm) According to the curatorial department of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, Pwo or mwana pwo is one the most popular dancing masks among the Chokwe. Because they follow matrilineal descent, the Chokwe dance pwo to honor the founding female ancestor of the lineage. A male dancer is dressed like a woman in a costume of braided fiber that completely covers his body and hides his identity. He wears a loincloth, carries a fan and moves in slow, precise steps to emulate a woman. When the mask becomes unusable, it is discarded. When a masquerader dies, the mask is buried with the dancer. ( Provenance: Ex Peter Arnovick Collection, Los Altos CA 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. #112176
Price: 933.75 USD It's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 700 USD-900 USD It's free to register now to view!

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