Neckring (Cholwane or Holwane)

Ndebele people, Transvaal, Area of Mapoch, South Africa, South Africa, African

1950 - 1980

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Kneeling female figure and child
Round, dark brown vessel with glossy surface has short, curved rim. Three parallel incised lines mark shoulder, which has four pairs of upturned knob handles.
Face mask with rabbit features. Narrow vertical oval ears painted red with white interiors; protruding conical black eyes surrounded by concentric black rings with white pigment in-between; protruding open triangular mouth/snout, painted black, adorned with small incised triangles painted white and red. Oval perimeter of back of mask pierced with multiple holes to enable attachment of mask to dancer's head as well as attachment of fiber costume. This type of mask is worn by men during funeral or initiation ceremonies. Animal masks commemorate encounters that people have had with ancestors who appeared in the form of an animal.
Globular footed vessel with columnar neck and slightly flared rim has areas of glossy burnished surface and matte surface. Raised flat bands define registers. Patterns within the bands include repeating V-shapes, incised circles, diagonal lines, and impressed shapes.