Mixed lot (2 pieces), from the Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: two old, conical Lega hats, known as ‘mukuba’, worn by high-ranking male members of the Bwami society.
Mixed lot (2 pieces), from the Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: two old, conical Lega hats, known as ‘mukuba’, worn by high-ranking male members of the Bwami society.
![Mixed lot (2 pieces), from the Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: two old, conical Lega hats, known as ‘mukuba’, worn by high-ranking male members of the Bwami society. - Tribal Art Mixed lot (2 pieces), from the Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: two old, conical Lega hats, known as ‘mukuba’, worn by high-ranking male members of the Bwami society. - Tribal Art](/fileadmin/lot-images/39T170406/normal/konvolut-2-stuecke-lega-auch-warega-oder-rega-dr-kongo-zwei-alte-konische-lega-huete-genannt-mukuba-getragen-von-hochrangigen-maennlichen-mitgliedern-des-bwami-bundes-1106437.jpg)
1: ‘Mukuba’ Lega hat (for a more detailed explanation cf. cat. no. 179), woven from plant fibres with a chin strap of the same material. The outside is set with densely arranged, overlapping rows of European buttons in light brown and white, as well as mother of pearl buttons. Sewn on with plant fibres. A bundle of eleven long black elephant hairs (from the tail of an elephant) rise out of a central projection. This is a clear sign that this ‘mukuba’ hat was worn by a top-ranking member (‘kindi’) of the Bwami society. This is because the elephant was the most important wild animal for the Lega, and only men in the highest rank of the Bwami were entitled to wear objects made from parts of the elephant (ivory, hair, etc.). An interesting piece with good, old usage patina on the inside.
Height: 23 cm; diameter: 17 cm x 19 cm (below). First half of the 20th century.
2: ‘Mukuba’ Lega hat, woven from plant fibres. With a high, semicircular crest and a chin strap in the same material. The outside is set with tight rows of European buttons in light brown and black and mother of pearl buttons. Sewn on with plant fibres. A ‘mukuba’ hat for a high-ranking member of the Bwami society. With very old, shiny black usage patina on the inside.
Height: 27 cm; diameter: 16 cm x 19 cm (below).First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, catalogue of the Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 51, 54, 55, 61.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
06.04.2017 - 15:00
- Starting bid:
-
EUR 600.-
Mixed lot (2 pieces), from the Lega (also Warega or Rega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: two old, conical Lega hats, known as ‘mukuba’, worn by high-ranking male members of the Bwami society.
1: ‘Mukuba’ Lega hat (for a more detailed explanation cf. cat. no. 179), woven from plant fibres with a chin strap of the same material. The outside is set with densely arranged, overlapping rows of European buttons in light brown and white, as well as mother of pearl buttons. Sewn on with plant fibres. A bundle of eleven long black elephant hairs (from the tail of an elephant) rise out of a central projection. This is a clear sign that this ‘mukuba’ hat was worn by a top-ranking member (‘kindi’) of the Bwami society. This is because the elephant was the most important wild animal for the Lega, and only men in the highest rank of the Bwami were entitled to wear objects made from parts of the elephant (ivory, hair, etc.). An interesting piece with good, old usage patina on the inside.
Height: 23 cm; diameter: 17 cm x 19 cm (below). First half of the 20th century.
2: ‘Mukuba’ Lega hat, woven from plant fibres. With a high, semicircular crest and a chin strap in the same material. The outside is set with tight rows of European buttons in light brown and black and mother of pearl buttons. Sewn on with plant fibres. A ‘mukuba’ hat for a high-ranking member of the Bwami society. With very old, shiny black usage patina on the inside.
Height: 27 cm; diameter: 16 cm x 19 cm (below).First third of the 20th century. (ME)
Provenance: Belgian private collection.
Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, catalogue of the Musée du Quai Branly Paris, ill. 51, 54, 55, 61.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
Buyers hotline
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kundendienst@dorotheum.at +43 1 515 60 200 |
Auction: | Tribal Art |
Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
Date: | 06.04.2017 - 15:00 |
Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
Exhibition: | 01.04. - 06.04.2017 |