Description:

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden anthropomorphic face mask of an ovoid form with openwork, almond-shaped eyes, a slender nose above a narrow mouth, and a bulging forehead. Several areas around the eyes and mouth as well as down the nasal bridge are embellished with dozens of miniscule dots representative of ritual scarification marks. In Lega tradition, masks are a symbol of their owner's rank within the Bwami society, which is an initiative society whose membership is open to Lega men and women who undergo a system of instruction, payment, and initiation. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 6.55" W x 9.9" H (16.6 cm x 25.1 cm)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired in 1987; ex-Lenny Kaplan collection, Laguna Beach, California, USA

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#156701

  • Condition: Minor abrasions to face, peripheries, and verso, with fading to scattered areas of pigment, otherwise intact and very good. Nice remains of pigment across face.

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October 22, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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