This mask type ‘mwana pwo’ represents a girl (or a female ancestor). She comes from the afterlife and benevolently visits the living. The mask is used by men in dances with tightly woven costumes.
The present ‘mwana pwo’ mask completely conforms to the ‘classical’ beauty ideal of the Chokwe people. Made of hard wood, carved in a thin piece and originally dyed dark brown. Its face has a coating of red powdered redwood. With a forehead band with fine lozenge patterns. On the broad forehead it wears the typical ‘cingelyengelye’ tribal mark (a sort of ‘Maltese cross’) carved in relief. With high raised, broad eyebrow arches, almond-shaped, slit eyes, a fine, narrow nose and a broad, open mouth with pointed rows of teeth. On both cheeks it displays the typical decorative scarification marks, called ‘tears’.
The hairstyle consists of a tight wickerwork of small ‘beads’ made of brown plant fibres. A net of fibres is attached to the rear of the mask, covering the neck of the dancer. A perfectly crafted object with good usage patina (also on the back, inside). No damage.
Height: 26 cm; width: c. 20 cm. First half to mid-20th century. (ME)

Provenance: Richard Dames Collection, Belgium; currently: Austrian private collection.

Lit.: ‘La Sculpture Tshokwe’ by Marie-Louise Bastin, ill. 41, 45, 46; ‘Chokwe!’ by Manuel Jordan, ill. 56, 57, 58; ‘Escultura Angolana’ by Marie-Louise Bastin, ill. 162,163, 164.