Mwana Pwo Mask - Democratic Republic Of Congo - First Half Of The 20th Century

Mwana Pwo MASK
Chokwe culture, Democratic Republic of Congo
First half of the 20th century
Wood and upholstery nails
H. 20 cm, length 17.5 cm
(slight old damage)

A monoxyle wooden face mask with a slightly crusty, shiny patina. It is oval and tapered on the chin. The chin features a thin-lipped mouth, slightly ajar with small pointed teeth and tapestry nails in the dimples and at the tip of the chin.
The short, slender nose is prolonged by two eyebrow arches forming two crescent moons, separated by an upholsterer's nail; the almond-shaped eyes are very finely perforated horizontally.
His C-shaped ears are pierced at the lobes, his forehead is embellished with the traditional cross-shaped scarification, a frieze of tapestry nails and his cheeks are marked with vertical scarifications referring to tears.
The entire circumference of the mask is pierced.

Pwo or Mwana Pwo face masks - a translation of woman or young woman - dance during fertility rites and refer to the female ancestor of matrilineal societies. 

Ref. : 1877