Masque Lega Idimu - DR Congo (No reserve price)
05
days
14
hours
49
minutes
11
seconds
Current bid
€ 1
No reserve price
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 210 - € 250
 | €1 |
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Masque Lega Idimu, an original Lega mask from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, carved in wood, 28 cm high and weighing 414 g, in good condition, sold without a stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Lega Idimu mask with a handle
Some Lega masks have a handle carved on the back, allowing them to be held and presented to initiates. They serve as supports for moral teachings and proverbs.
Mask Idimu
Generally a larger mask
With 28 cm, this mask sits more in the upper range, in the Idimu category
These masks were almost never worn on the face, except on the temple or forehead for the smaller ones. During initiation rites, they were held in the hand by the fiber beard or by a grip (handle on the back), they were attached to the arm or to a palisade, dragged or stacked. Each mask was used to illustrate moral aphorisms sung and danced. It also indicated the rank held by the initiate within Bwami and above all represented a link with the deceased initiates,
Indeed, Lega masks essentially represent a close link with the ancestors. The names of several mask forms refer to death: "lukungu," skull; "lukwakongo", death gathers; "idimu", ancestor. (Biebuyck 1954, 113). The masks are part of initiation objects displayed on the deceased’s grave before being passed on to their new owners. When the next member of the owner’s lineage reached the required level, he received the mask to pass it on at his death.
Fairly light wood.
Remnants of kaolin.
Traces of use.
20th century.
Seller's Story
Gallery "artspremiers be"
Richard Dams
Graduate in history,
Former professor of history, art history and aesthetics.
Former cooperator in Congo (Zaire) (teacher of the course on the history of African civilizations, history of art and aesthetics).
Collector since 1971.
Seller since 2007.
Translated by Google TranslateLega Idimu mask with a handle
Some Lega masks have a handle carved on the back, allowing them to be held and presented to initiates. They serve as supports for moral teachings and proverbs.
Mask Idimu
Generally a larger mask
With 28 cm, this mask sits more in the upper range, in the Idimu category
These masks were almost never worn on the face, except on the temple or forehead for the smaller ones. During initiation rites, they were held in the hand by the fiber beard or by a grip (handle on the back), they were attached to the arm or to a palisade, dragged or stacked. Each mask was used to illustrate moral aphorisms sung and danced. It also indicated the rank held by the initiate within Bwami and above all represented a link with the deceased initiates,
Indeed, Lega masks essentially represent a close link with the ancestors. The names of several mask forms refer to death: "lukungu," skull; "lukwakongo", death gathers; "idimu", ancestor. (Biebuyck 1954, 113). The masks are part of initiation objects displayed on the deceased’s grave before being passed on to their new owners. When the next member of the owner’s lineage reached the required level, he received the mask to pass it on at his death.
Fairly light wood.
Remnants of kaolin.
Traces of use.
20th century.
Seller's Story
Gallery "artspremiers be"
Richard Dams
Graduate in history,
Former professor of history, art history and aesthetics.
Former cooperator in Congo (Zaire) (teacher of the course on the history of African civilizations, history of art and aesthetics).
Collector since 1971.
Seller since 2007.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Masque Lega Idimu
Height
28 cm
Weight
414 g
Authenticity
Original/official
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