African Chokwe Wooden Ritual Mask. Dark, aged patina and striking white-pigmented details. The face features heavy-lidded, recessed eyes, a straight nose, and incised lines representing scarification or tribal markings on the forehead, cheeks, and chin. A distinctive diamond motif is centrally placed on the forehead. The mask is adorned with an elaborate hairstyle or headdress composed of cylindrical rolls (possibly made of fiber or wood wrapped in material) affixed along the hairline, interspersed with small pieces of colored, patterned cloth

Size: 10 1/2 x 6 x 4 in.

Chokwe tribal masks, originating from the Chokwe people of Central Africa—primarily in present-day Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia—are among the most expressive and symbolically rich forms of African art. Traditionally carved from wood and adorned with materials such as raffia, beads, shells, and pigments, these masks were used in ceremonial dances honoring ancestors, celebrating fertility, and marking rites of passage. One of the most recognized forms, the Chihongo mask, represents wealth and authority, while the Pwo mask depicts idealized female beauty and the virtues of womanhood. Each mask embodies both aesthetic mastery and spiritual function, blending stylized features with cultural meaning to connect the wearer with ancestral power and communal identity. Today, Chokwe masks are highly valued by collectors and museums for their dynamic design and the insight they offer into the spiritual and social life of the Chokwe people.

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