Lot: 395

86th Tribal Art Auction

Maiden spirit mask "mwana pwo"

D. R. Congo, Chokwe

Provenance Size Starting price / estimated price
German Private Collection H: 7.9 inch 600 EUR
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance

wood, dyed in red, colour accents in black, characteristic narrow slit eyes, cross-shaped tattoos on the cheeks, slightly dam., abrasion of paint;
during boy's "mukanda" initiation, the "pwo" mask, which represents a female ancestor, performs in dances that characterize the roles of women in Chokwe society. The mask originally was completed by a mud-packed wig.