#1077 Rare Chokwe , Angola, D.of the Congo Zambia female mask

Rare Chokwe (Tshokwe, Jokwe, Batshioko), Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia
measures approx : 9" by 6" w by 7" D the wooden mask and all together approx 10.5" h
Pls check pics for the missing part of the mask on one side due to time.The Chokwe use three types of masks. These are the sacred masks, initiation masks (made of fibers) and dance masks. The last group includes a female mask, or pwo, and her male counterpart, or cihongo, who symbolizes power. The male mask differs from the female in terms of its broad mouth and horizontally protruding beard. The Pwo mask symbolizes the ideal mother and woman. It has facial scarifications and is believed to spread fertility wherever it is presented.