CHOKWE, Democratic Republic of Congo - Lot 131

CHOKWE, Democratic Republic of Congo Pwo dance mask featuring an intensely expressive female face. The half-closed eyes are set in incised circles, giving it a penetrating expressiveness. The forehead is adorned with ancestral scarification marks, the ears are marked in relief and the cheeks are round. The headdress, changed later, suggests continued ritual use. Wood, old honey-brown patina, brass nails, milking beads, later replaced headdress. This Pwo mask, emblematic of the Chokwe culture, embodies the ideal female ancestor. It pays tribute to women for their beauty and their role in transmitting life and social values. Worn by men during initiation rites, it transmits feminine ideals to youth. The facial scarification and headdress evoke precise aesthetic codes and spiritual beliefs, notably the connection to ancestors and the cycle of life. Height 16 cm Width: 15 cm