Rare Tsokwe masque

The full shape of this mask, associated with the finely carved features, liken it to the style designated by Marie-Louise Bastin as ‘the style of the country of origin’ located in the heart of Angola, where the Tshokwe were reported as early as the 16th century. The pwo mask and the cihongo (it’s male counterpart) are the most important masks of the Tshokwe culture representing their male and female ancestors. The living models are preserved in these masks down to their scarifications.