500 Gallery
Live Auction

Exclusive Fine Art: July Session

Wed, Jul 3, 2024 05:30PM EDT
Lot 220

Mwana Pwo Mask, Chokwe People, D.R. Congo/Zaire

Estimate: $500 - $800

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $10
$100 $25
$500 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$20,000 $1,000
$50,000 $2,500
$100,000 $500,000
African Tribal Art: Chokwe People, D.R. Congo/Zaire: Mwana Pwo Mask, carved wood with light brown skin tone and dark brown hair, scarification/tribal marks and eyebrows, mid 20th century. It has a fine patina and the attachment holes along the rim show staining from moisture/sweat.

The mask depicts a female, referred to as pwo (mwana pwo). It shows facial features considered desirable by the Chokwe: filed teeth, abstract scarification, and a swept-forward coiffure. It is a dance mask, and would be accompanied by a male counterpart. Together, they symbolize power.

15H x 8W x 10.25D (inches).

Private Collection, Massachusetts, Private Collection, New York

Condition

Good condition with signs of use and age; worn patina; scuffs. Note that there is a wood-split/crack in the center of the back of the hair.

NOTE: If documentation is not listed, the lot is sold without documents.

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