Lot 70
FINE CHOKWE MASK, PWO
ANGOLA
African & Oceanic Art and Antiquities | 556
Auction: 1 May 2019 at 12:00 BST
Description
carved wood, of hollowed oval form, the broad mouth held slightly agape, the coffee bean eyes framed by an arching brow, incised scarification on the cheek and forehead, incised around the edge for the attachment of a fibre headdress, red ochre patina, mounted
Dimensions
21.5cm high
Footnote
Provenance:
Egon Guenther, Johannesburg
Sotheby's, New York, November 2000, lot 139
Bernice and Terence Pethica Collection
Published:
Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica, The Art of Southern Africa, The Terence Pethica Collection 2007, p. 140, n° 60
Note:
"One of the most important Chokwe initiation masks embodies the idea of ideal female beauty. This mask, which honours women as providers and fulfilled women, also celebrates the importance of mothers for the well-being of the mukanda initiation camp. Called pwo (woman), this mask is sometimes said to represent the beauty of both mature women and young girls, mwana pwo. The charming dance of this masked figure, which is always elegantly dressed, teaches initiates - and the village spectators she visits during the initiation period - the importance of cultivating grace and good manners." (Klopper, Nettleton and Pethica 2007).