A small ivory figure, carved in typical Lega style. With a long oval head, a heart-shaped face, deep-set round eyes and a small mouth with sketched teeth. The shoulders of the woman are broad and angular, the arms protrude below. Her hips are attached to her legs with two bulging protrusions, and her feet are large and firmly placed on the ground. A charming small sculpture made of ivory, with linear decorative scars to both sides of the face, the chest, abdomen, and along the back line. Slight cracks to the front and back of the head and the right leg due to age. Otherwise no damage.
A piece with a very good, light and dark speckled reddish brown patina (the red colour probably comes from palm oil). As a result of protracted use, all the edges are rounded and worn smooth. There is an inventory number from a collection, in white letters, on the back of the left leg.
Height: 11.5 cm; width: 4 cm. Between c. 1900 and the first third of the 20th century. (ME) ASA

Provenance: South African private collection.

Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, catalogue of the Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 16, 45, 121, 123, 143, 144, 145, 146; ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, ill. 15, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 31.