Mask - Congo (No reserve price)

Lega Bwami initiation statuette

Symbolizing a moral value or dogma, or associated with a Lega proverb, this African statuette, set on wide-spread legs with arms raised, offers a pierced torso. Satin bi-color patina, with abrasions.

The tribal art of the Lega, Balega, or Warega, is distinguished by its initiation statuettes, also made in ivory, some of which were kept in a basket intended for the highest ranks of the Bwami across different communities. This type of Iginga (Maginga in the plural) tribal art statuette was the property of the high-ranking members of Bwami, a secret society admitting men and their wives, and governing social life. This organization was subdivided into initiation stages, the highest being the Kindi. The statuettes were used as the initiates progressed through the ranks. The peculiarity of the Lega