Small African Chokwe Pwo Mask

Description

Small
tribal mask in the Pwo style of the
Chokwe people, likely from the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa.
Please note that this is a small piece. Measures approximately 7" inches from the top of the mask to the chin.
Carved from wood, with adornments made from beads, woven fiber, and metal.
Acquired from a private Canadian collection.
From The Met's website: Pwo, a classic Chokwe mask genre, honors founding female ancestors. Such representations are especially significant given that the Chokwe trace descent through their mothers' lines. Pwo's joint performance with her male counterpart, Cihongo, brings fertility and prosperity to a community. The cultural ideals of these two iconic representations developed during the precolonial period continue to inspire contemporary artists in the region.
The central cruciform on the forehead has been interpreted as a cosmogram. Chokwe masks are often performed at the celebrations that mark the completion of initiation into adulthood.