Lega artist, Late 19th-early 20th century

Lega artist

Late 19th-early 20th century

Mask, lukwakongo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Wood, kaolin, raffia

Height: 8 inches (20 cm)

This miniature mask from the Lega people of northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo is known as lukwakongo. They are never worn on the face, but are tied to the...

This miniature mask from the Lega people of northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo is known as lukwakongo. They are never worn on the face, but are tied to the arm or displayed on a ritual fence at Bwami society meetings. The mask represents membership in the society and identifies the rank of its owner. The heart-shaped face is framed by a line defining the nose, brows and the facial planes. The face is whitened by clay and the whole forehead has a glossy brown patina framed by a raffia beard.

Provenance

Collected in 1957 by Nicholas de Kun (1923-2024)
Ex collection Ernst Anspach, New York
Ex collection Carol and Jerry Kenney, New York

Publications

African Tribal Sculpture from the Collection of Ernst and Ruth Anspach. New York: Museum of Primitive Art, 1967. p. 8

Exhibitions

African Tribal Sculpture from the collection of Ernst and Ruth Anspach, Museum of Primitive Art, New York. 15 November 1967 - 4 February 1968

Myth & Metamorphosis: Carlo Bella x Colnaghi

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