Lega Miniature Figure Congo African Art retailer 126239

PRODUCT DETAILS

+ Title - Lega Miniature Figure Congo African Art
+ Type of Object - Carving, Figure, Statue, Sculpture
+ Country of Origin - Democratic Republic of Congo
+ People - Lega
+ Materials - Wood
+ Height (in) - 12.5
+ Width (in) - 3.5
+ Depth (in) - 4
+ Other Dimensions - Width: 15 InchesDepth: 8.2 Inches8
+ Overall Condition - Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
+ Damage/Repair - Pitting, chips.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Additional Information: A standing Lega figure with a stylized body. The surface shows age. Lega sculptures are usually carved in a highly distinctive style, with heart retailer shaped concave faces, slightly bulging foreheads, slit ‘coffee-bean' eyes and an open narrow mouth.

Among the Lega people of the Democratic Republic of Congo carved wooden figures are used during ceremonies of the Bwami Society, an initiation, and instructional society that governs and advises on moral and ethical conduct. The complex system of instruction, initiation, and advancement for both men and women in the Bwami society uses masks and figures to document the various levels of Bwami and to serve as badges validating the initiate's knowledge of the secrets of Bwami and of their rank. This appealing white faced figure with a marvelously abstracted body represents a major figure and perhaps a ‘judge' among senior members of the Bwami Society.According to Cornet, "These figurines are often part of an initiation basket owned collectively by a clan, and used in the ritual display of objects in the LUTUMBO LWA KINDI rite.



SKU: 126239