Attention ! New schedule! The gallery is open Tuesday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or by appointment.
SOLD / SOLD! Superb mask Lukungu LEGA Cult of the Bwami Mask MC1172

SOLD / SOLD! Superb mask Lukungu LEGA Cult of the Bwami Mask MC1172

$0.00 Sale

English description below

CONGO DRC

Magnificent Lukungu LEGA Mask

Very particular mask, with very pure shapes
Her closed eyes, her mouth just suggested are a superb example of stylization
The Lega aesthetic canons are respected, such as the heart-shaped face
You can see a rather similar mask in "Lega. Ethics and Beauty" (see bibliography)
Lukungu masks were reserved for Kindi, members of the highest ranks of the Bwami.
They were kept in wicker bags, maintained by numerous applications of oils. which gave them these incomparable colors.
Lukungu masks were taken out during ceremonies of the Bwami cult. Rarely worn, they were rather presented on racks, around an Idimu mask, or on the ground, surrounded by other objects, and used in the illustration of aphorisms

Literally, "Lukungu" means "skull".

This type of mask was used in the framework of
cult 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 east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
Features:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNIC GROUP: Lega - Warega
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo
(ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
MATERIAL: Bone
DIMENSIONS: Height 14 cm.
CONDITION: OK
See photos.
No base

--------------------------
Find us on social networks:
Find us on social networks:
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, RMCA and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- In search of the meaning of Bwami, through a collection unlike any 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 Central African Lega, Elizabeth L. Cameron. 2013, Quai Branly Museum.
- 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.
- The Lega Art - Greatness and Humility. In the Vallois collection, Valentine Plisnier and Michel Boulanger, 2016.
--------------------------
CONGO DRC

Superb LEGA Lukungu Mask



Its closed eyes, its mouth just suggested, its pure forms and volumes are a superb example of stylization
The aesthetic Lega canons are respected, such as the heart-shaped face

You can see a similar mask in " Lega. Ethics and Beauty" (see bibliography)

The lukungu masks were reserved for the Kindi, members of the highest grades of the Bwami.
They were kept in wicker bags, many applications of oils gave them these incomparable colors.
Lukungu masks were used during Bwami worship ceremonies. Rarely worn, they were rather presented on racks, around an Idimu mask, or on the ground, surrounded by other objects, and used in the illustration of aphorisms

Literally, "Lukungu" means "skull"


The Bwami is an association that organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community.

The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC),

Features:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Mask.
ETHNIC GROUP: Lega.
ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo.
DRC (ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
MATERIAL: Bone
DIMENSIONS: About 5 1/2 Inches high
CONDITION: Correct
Please have a look on the pictures.
The base is NOT included