Mwana Pwo Mask – Wood, Rope – Chokwe – DR Congo

This Mwana Pwo mask represents the idealized beauty of a young Chokwe woman, a theme consistently described across museum and scholarly sources. It features the classic narrow, refined nose, delicate facial modeling, and incised scarification patterns on the cheeks and forehead—traits documented as central to Pwo aesthetics . The mask’s fraai haardos van touw (beautiful full coiffure made of cord or fiber) aligns with traditional examples, which often include massive braided-fiber hairstyles coated with red earth or oil, or woven snoods attached at the back. These coiffures are an essential part of the mask’s identity and ritual presence . Scarification marks—such as the cingelyengelye cruciform design on the forehead—are well‑documented and symbolize lineage, beauty, and cultural identity. They may replicate the marks of the woman who inspired the carver, reinforcing the mask’s role as an ancestral embodiment . With its fine facial expression, slender nose, tattoo‑like scarifications, and rich fiber coiffure, this Mwana Pwo mask exemplifies the elegance and symbolic depth of Chokwe female portrait masks, used historically in Mukanda initiation dances and performances celebrating feminine beauty and social values . Provenance: former private collection from Germany.

Object	Mwana Pwo mask
Ethnic group:	Chokwe
Country:	DR Congo
Material:	Wood, rope
Estimated period:	Mid 20th century
Sold with stand:	No
Dimensions:	28x28x20 cm
Weight:	650 gram
Condition:	Good condition, used with some signs of wear