Antique Rarities

Description

Of indeterminate age but almost certainly mid last century or a bit before. This is one of several masks that we acquired a while ago from bought an inveterate traveller who had brought them back from Africa. According to his notes this one hails from the Chokwe peoples of the Congo region and is a Mwana Pwo dance mask. Apparently masks such as these, if worn, are used in the “Makishi” dances that take place at the end of an initiation ceremony or after a ceremony intended to bring prosperity to the village. While the “Mwana Pwo” mask symbolizes a woman, it’s always worn and danced by a man, often wearing a knitted costume with wooden breasts attached to his chest.
Of carved wood with a head dress (or hair) that is made up of what appears to knotted raffia of some kind, hessian of similar cloth and short lengths of bamboo it measures approximately 12 by 8 inches.A fantastic, weird and highly decorative piece for £185 inclusive of postage to any UK address.

All items are covered by the Distance Selling Regulations which give buyers the right to cancel the purchase within seven days after receipt of the item for a full refund less RETURN transport costs