Mid-20th Century Chokwe Mask with Raffia Braids and Ceremonial Iron Arrow – Likely Congo

A striking and evocative ceremonial mask attributed to the Chokwe people of Central Africa, crafted from carved hardwood and richly adorned with natural raffia braids, white pigment detailing, and deeply incised motifs.

Measuring 33 cm in height and 20 cm in width, the mask features the classic Chokwe aesthetic: almond-shaped eyes, diamond scarification marks, and a solemn, regal expression—at once timeless and otherworldly.

Accompanying the mask is a hand-forged ceremonial iron arrow (length: 45 cm), wrapped in fiber twine, suggesting ritual or symbolic significance—perhaps a gesture of ancestral communication, hunting rites, or simply to remind the wearer to aim high in life.

With its dramatic presence and symbolic detail, this mask is a powerful representation of the Chokwe tradition of honoring female ancestors, leadership roles, and initiation ceremonies. It also, quite famously, left a mark far beyond Africa—Picasso, Braque, and their Modernist peers were deeply inspired by these masks. Cubism may have begun in Paris, but the spirit of abstraction was born with these masks.

Details:

Tribe: LIkely Chokwe

Origin: Likely Congo (DRC or Angola)

Materials: Carved hardwood, kaolin-based white pigment, natural raffia, iron

Mask Dimensions: Height 33 cm × Width 20 cm

Arrow Dimensions: Length 45 cm

Period: Mid-20th century

Condition: Excellent vintage condition with expected patina and wear to pigments and fibers