COMPELLING LWENA PWO MASK w/BEADED LEATHER HELMET ~ African Art / DR Congo - $375 - (Three Mile Bay, NY)
On offer from our personal collection is this compelling Pwo face mask from the Lwena peoples of the DR Congo. Perhaps the best-known style of mask produced by the Lwena & their neighbors, the Chokwe, Pwo masks symbolize tribal female ancestors & are worn by male dancers during ritual ceremonies. Imbued with dignity & maturity, strong facial features with smooth, rounded contours characterize this striking mask. Scarifications highlight the cheeks & forehead, & the open mouth bares sharply filed teeth. A leather helmet/headdress adorns the top of the mask, accentuated by rows of colorful beads punctuated with decorative buttons & finely twisted cord. Attachment holes perforate the perimeter of the mask, with more of the headdress cord threaded through & around the holes. Fine workmanship throughout. Overall condition: very good, showing only minor wear & tear, including a dry age crack at the right-hand corner of the mask's mouth, a couple of small tears in the leather (including one along the rim of the headdress), & some minor evidence of insect damage (arrested). Excellent patina. This powerful mask displays beautifully & would be a handsome addition to any ethnographic collection. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Material: wood, leather, beads, buttons, twisted fibers Approximate dimensions: 11.5" H x 7.5" W x 9.25" D Vintage: 2nd half of 20th century Total shipping weight: ca. 5-lbs. Stand not included - used for display purposes only • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • All sales final.
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From ebay.com - 1 month ago