Chokwe Pwo mask – DR Congo, early 20th century

Height: 37 cm

This authentic African tribal mask originates from the Chokwe (Tschokwe) people of Angola / DR Congo and represents a female Pwo mask type — an important ceremonial embodiment of ideal womanhood and ancestral femininity in Chokwe culture.

Characterized by its elongated face, half-closed almond-shaped eyes, fine scarification marks and a carefully structured coiffure, the mask reflects classical Chokwe sculptural aesthetics. The elaborate hair arrangement with beads, coins and fiber attachments corresponds to traditional female mask adornment. The expressive carved teeth add a distinctive sculptural presence while remaining within the established artistic vocabulary of the region.

The surface displays a well-developed patina with visible wear on raised areas, oxidation on metal elements, and remnants of fiber attachments, supporting its authenticity and ritual use. The piece is not a later tourist carving but a genuine example of 20th-century African ceremonial art.

A compelling and collectible example of Chokwe ritual sculpture from the early to mid-20th century.