Lega, Democratic Republic of Congo: An old head figure made of ivory.
Such ivory head figures belonged only to high level members of the ‘Bwami’ society of the Lega (also called Rega or Warega) in eastern Congo. They were used as amulets, for identification and during initiation rituals. The present ivory head has a typical Lega face: heart-shaped and concave, bulging inwards, with coffee bean eyes. The piece displays an old, natural, honey-coloured and speckled patina (ivory darkens with time and becomes speckled). With age-related cracks and small some pieces broken off. First third of the 20th century; h: 9 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: Collected in situ by the Belgian tropical doctor, Dr Emile Blancquart 1949/1950; Belgian collection.
Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, Katalog Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, ill. 114 to 117; ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, ill. 36.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
05.11.2014 - 13:00
- Estimate:
-
EUR 1,000.- to EUR 1,200.-
Lega, Democratic Republic of Congo: An old head figure made of ivory.
Such ivory head figures belonged only to high level members of the ‘Bwami’ society of the Lega (also called Rega or Warega) in eastern Congo. They were used as amulets, for identification and during initiation rituals. The present ivory head has a typical Lega face: heart-shaped and concave, bulging inwards, with coffee bean eyes. The piece displays an old, natural, honey-coloured and speckled patina (ivory darkens with time and becomes speckled). With age-related cracks and small some pieces broken off. First third of the 20th century; h: 9 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: Collected in situ by the Belgian tropical doctor, Dr Emile Blancquart 1949/1950; Belgian collection.
Lit.: ‘L’art des Lega’, Katalog Musée du Quai Branly, Paris, ill. 114 to 117; ‘Joyaux Lega’ by Benoit Rousseau, ill. 36.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
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| Auction: | Tribal Art |
| Auction type: | Saleroom auction |
| Date: | 05.11.2014 - 13:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 31.10. - 05.11.2014 |