RARE. Lega Mask | Bwami Society |

Description

A rare hand held Lega mask, Lukwakongo, the face painted with
white pigment, with incised scarifications the outer of the face
with a pierced border, fine aged patina with  original repair  to handle23cm

In the forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, art is created primarily for semisecret associations of men and women, such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples. The teachings of Bwami permeate all aspects of life, guiding the moral development of the individual and governing relations with others. Bwami doctrine is represented by wood and ivory masks, heads, and small figures, all of which play a vital role during initiation into the society’s highest grades. Although simple in form, these carved objects embody complex and multiple meanings, elaborated through proverbs, skits, and dances. The masks refer to ancestors and are passed from one generation of initiates to the next as symbols of continuity. For the Lega, physical beauty and moral excellence are inseparable. The dotted-circle motifs on many Lega works represent body markings, which enhance both the carvings and the characters they depict. The smooth polished surfaces of these sculptures allude to the refined and perfected nature of the Bwami initiate.

Please research ,and have a good look at photos  This is not mid 20th copy Tourist made for sale.
Your Research should be focus on Sotheby’s, Bonham, Christine’s Barakat  and Tribal art, auction results atArtkhade .com

Beauty and Authenticity in African Art. AFRICAN ART Sculpture PIERRE MEAUZE
Africa The art of a continent

Lega mask of this  quality with provenance ,sell from  £3000 to £30000

PROVENANCE   request