English description below
Elegant and powerful idimu LEGA mask
The face is dark, except for the eye area which is whitened with kaolin, which creates a powerful contrast.
The well-marked orbits and the slightly obliquely cut eyes complete the mysterious aspect.
Small chevron scarifications on the cheeks
Although the Idimu masks are significantly larger than the Lukwakongo masks, they are stylistically very similar. They are collective masks used during ceremonies reserved for the high-ranking members of the Bwami.
This type of mask was used within the framework of the Bwami, an association which organized the social structure and ensured the stability of the Lega community.
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
OBJECT TYPE: Mask.
ETHNIC GROUP: Lega - Warega
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo
(ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: Height 23 cm.
CONDITION: Average
See photos.
The base is not included
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Bibliography - Art Lega - Bibliography:
- Lega. Ethics and Beauty in the Heart of Africa. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 2002. KBC.
- Lega Jewels from the Benoît Rousseau Collection. Viviane Baeke, MRAC and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- In search of the meaning of Bwami, through a collection like no other. Viviane Baeke. Undated. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The sculpture of the Lega. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1994. Galerie Hélène and Philippe Leloup- Paris-New-York.
- The arts of Zaire, Vol II Eastern Zaire. Daniel P. Biebuyck, 1986, University of California Press.
- The Art of the Lega of Central Africa, Elizabeth L. Cameron. 2013, Musée du quai Branly.
- Lega Culture. Art, Initiation and Moral Philosophy Among a Central African People. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1973. University of California Press.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- L'Art Lega - Grandeur and Humility. In the Vallois collection, Valentine Plisnier and Michel Boulanger, 2016
- The Warega and the Wabembe. An extraordinary social culture and an astonishing civilization without writing in Central Africa, Alexandre Safiannikoff, 2022, Paul Safiannikoff
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CONGO DRC
Elegant and powerful idimu LEGA mask
The face is dark, except for the eye contour which is whitened with kaolin, which creates a powerful contrast.
The well-defined orbits and slightly oblique eyes make it mysterious.
Small chevron scarifications on the cheeks
Idimu masks are significantly larger than Lukwakongo masks, but stylistically very close
These are collective masks used during ceremonies for high-ranking people of the Bwami, an association that organized the social structure and ensured the stability of the Lega community.
This type of mask was used as part of the cult of the Bwami, an association that organized the social structure
and ensured the stability of the Lega community.
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNICAL GROUP: Lega .
ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo.
DRC (former Belgian Congo, former Zaire).
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: About 9 Inches high (23 cm)
CONDITION:Medium
Please have a look on the pictures.
The base is NOT included
