Mwana Pwo AA21 mask

This mid-20th century mask is a Mwana Pwo of the Chokwe people in the Democratic Republic of Congo, measuring 13x21.5x31 cm. This unique mask illustrates the top of the face with a Saint Andrew's cross, which the Chokwe call Chingely Engelye, integrated into the design. The tradition of the Chokwe people and other ethnic groups in the region included modifying teeth to make them sharp, a historic aesthetic practice. The mask displays this characteristic through the representation of sharp teeth on the mouth. The woodworking, the patina and the incisions on the surface of the mask reflect the craftsmanship and cultural richness of the Chokwe.