Lega Mask - Lega - DR Congo
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Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Máscara Lega from the Lega people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, dating to the mid‑20th century, 31 cm high, in good condition; provenance Medicus Mundi missionaries, Argiles Collection, Barcelona.
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Description from the seller
This mask is special, as it does not correspond to the classic prototype of Lega masks. The shape is oval, the forehead is broad and furrowed with rows of small round holes, each row in the shape of a fleur-de-lis.
With the nose as the stem, the lower rows delineate semicircular upper eye sockets, deep and very wide, within which there are large, bulging, oval eyes, open with two eyebrows marked by notches; the nose, long and rectangular, with a flat upper part with notches, crossed lines representing tribal tattoos; the cheeks, full, convey a sense of abundance; at the end of the nose and cheeks, a slightly protruding mouth, open, elongated elliptical in shape, with teeth marked with notches around their entire perimeter; the chin, broad, ends in a point at the oval of the face. From the remains, it appears that the mask had a beard of white feathers. It shows clear signs of tribal use.
Provenance: Medicus Mundi missionaries
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
This mask is special, as it does not correspond to the classic prototype of Lega masks. The shape is oval, the forehead is broad and furrowed with rows of small round holes, each row in the shape of a fleur-de-lis.
With the nose as the stem, the lower rows delineate semicircular upper eye sockets, deep and very wide, within which there are large, bulging, oval eyes, open with two eyebrows marked by notches; the nose, long and rectangular, with a flat upper part with notches, crossed lines representing tribal tattoos; the cheeks, full, convey a sense of abundance; at the end of the nose and cheeks, a slightly protruding mouth, open, elongated elliptical in shape, with teeth marked with notches around their entire perimeter; the chin, broad, ends in a point at the oval of the face. From the remains, it appears that the mask had a beard of white feathers. It shows clear signs of tribal use.
Provenance: Medicus Mundi missionaries
Argiles Collection, Barcelona
Details
No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Lega
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Plumas, Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Lega Mask
Height
31 cm
Provenance
Private collection
