Lega Artist
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Wood, fiber
A miniature mask from the Lega people of northeast Democratic Republic of the
Congo. These miniature masks, known as lukwakongo, 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 whole the forehead has a glossy brown patina. The
face is framed by a raffia beard.
Provenance
Nicolas de Kun, Brussels, acquired in 1957
Ernst Anspach (1914-2002), New York, acquired in 1965 (inv. no. 0112)
Carol and Jerry (1941-2019) Kenney Collection, New York, acquired in 2001
Private Collection, London
Publications
Museum of Primitive Art, African Tribal Sculpture from the Collection of Ernst and Ruth Anspach. Checklist of the Exhibition , New York, 1967, p. 8
Exhibitions
New York, Museum of Primitive Art, "African Tribal Sculpture from the Collection of Ernst and Ruth Anspach", 15 November 1967 - 4 February 1968