Mask "mwana phwevo"
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 504
80th Tribal Art AuctionMask "mwana phwevo"
Angola / Zambia, Luena (Luvale) / Luchazi
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
Larry Goldblatt, New York, USA Michael Rhodes, New York, USA Private Collection, New York, USA |
H: 10.6 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
wood, blackish brown patina, abundant coiffure from plant fiber cord with beaded strings, remains of a costume from knotted plant fibre, slightly dam. (mouth, eyes), abrasion of paint, base;
various ethnical groups in the area of the upper Sambesi and the southern Kasai area use the "mwana phwevo" mask type. Its name, "young woman" refers to a mythological female person, who died young, and whose painful loss should be recalled by the masquerade. The masks were danced by men and appear on various festive occasions in order to amuse the village people, especially women, with their charming dances.
Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 86