Early 20th C. Chokwe Wood, Raffia & Textile Pwo Mask
Ca. 1901–1934 CE. Central Africa, Angola or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chokwe peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden mask displaying an interesting female face with squinting slit-form eyes beneath arching brows, a slender nose, a narrow mouth atop a dramatically-tapered chin, and pierced ears boasting metal hoops, all beneath a tall forehead bearing impressed scarification marks in a diamond motif. Additional scarification impressions adorn the cheeks, and small striations embellish the bridge of the nose. A strip of red textile displays cowrie shell ornamentation and a strand of cobalt-blue beads, with a wig of woven raffia projecting from the verso, and a woven textile cover draped in front of the neck. Size: 14" W x 13" H (35.6 cm x 33 cm); 15.4" H (39.1 cm) on included custom stand. Size: 13" H x 14" W (33.0 cm H x 35.6 cm W); On included custom stand: 15.4" H (39.1 cm H). This mask may symbolize the figure of Mwana Pwo, an archetypal female ancestor, socially significant particularly because the Chokwe trace their ancestry through their maternal lines. The scars on the face are an indicator of beauty as well as ethnic identity. Masks from this culture are often used at initiation rites to welcome people into the adult world, and masks of Mwana Pwo are meant to symbolize the end of the relationship between mother and son, as the son has now become a man. Publication: For a stylistically-similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/320476 Provenance: Estate of R. Pearson, Denver, Colorado, USA; Mr. Pearson collected from the third quarter of the 20th century until he passed away. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item # 127086
Condition
Necklace detached from red textile strip in one area. Light fraying to textile swaths and raffia wig, with minor abrasions to wooden mask, and light encrustations along red textile, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits as well as great patina throughout.
Ca. 1901–1934 CE. Central Africa, Angola or the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Chokwe peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden mask displaying an interesting female face with squinting slit-form eyes beneath arching brows, a slender nose, a narrow mouth atop a dramatically-tapered chin, and pierced ears boasting metal hoops, all beneath a tall forehead bearing impressed scarification marks in a diamond motif. Additional scarification impressions adorn the cheeks, and small striations embellish the bridge of the nose. A strip of red textile displays cowrie shell ornamentation and a strand of cobalt-blue beads, with a wig of woven raffia projecting from the verso, and a woven textile cover draped in front of the neck. Size: 14" W x 13" H (35.6 cm x 33 cm); 15.4" H (39.1 cm) on included custom stand. Size: 13" H x 14" W (33.0 cm H x 35.6 cm W); On included custom stand: 15.4" H (39.1 cm H). This mask may symbolize the figure of Mwana Pwo, an archetypal female ancestor, socially significant particularly because the Chokwe trace their ancestry through their maternal lines. The scars on the face are an indicator of beauty as well as ethnic identity. Masks from this culture are often used at initiation rites to welcome people into the adult world, and masks of Mwana Pwo are meant to symbolize the end of the relationship between mother and son, as the son has now become a man. Publication: For a stylistically-similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/320476 Provenance: Estate of R. Pearson, Denver, Colorado, USA; Mr. Pearson collected from the third quarter of the 20th century until he passed away. SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).For those not using LiveAuctioneers' Live Ship program, Artemis Fine Arts offers expert in-house packing and worldwide shipping. With over 20 years of experience, our team provides careful, reliable, and affordable service. For a quick quote on this lot, please contact support@artemisfinearts.com prior to the auction, or call 720-890-7700. PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception. Item # 127086
Condition
Necklace detached from red textile strip in one area. Light fraying to textile swaths and raffia wig, with minor abrasions to wooden mask, and light encrustations along red textile, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits as well as great patina throughout.
