Lega (or Rega, Warega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: A very old ivory figure with cowrie eyes.
The Lega (also called Rega or Warega) live in eastern Congo. Their social and religious life is controlled by the ‘Bwami society’. With six ranks for men and three ranks for women. These small figures made of ivory are personal amulets of high-ranking members of the ‘Bwami society’. The present, male ivory figure is very old. This appears clearly from the fine tears on the surface and the dark, red-brown to almost black patina of this piece (ivory becomes darker with time). The 'coffee bean eyes' carved in Lega style are applied as cowrie shells on this item (cowrie shells are valuable objects and ‘money’). Chest and abdomen of the figure are densely decorated with small, round holes. A rare, beautiful object with minor age damage: some old pieces broken off on both hands and a minor flaw to the left leg and mouth. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; H: 16 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: Belgian collection.
Literature: 'Joyaux Lega', collection Benoit Rousseau, commissaire: Marc L. Felix, ill. 13, 14, 25, 27.
Specialist: Erwin Melchardt
Erwin Melchardt
+43-1-515 60-465
erwin.melchardt@dorotheum.at
24.03.2014 - 16:00
- Realized price: **
-
EUR 4,500.-
- Estimate:
-
EUR 3,800.- to EUR 4,200.-
Lega (or Rega, Warega), Dem. Rep. of Congo: A very old ivory figure with cowrie eyes.
The Lega (also called Rega or Warega) live in eastern Congo. Their social and religious life is controlled by the ‘Bwami society’. With six ranks for men and three ranks for women. These small figures made of ivory are personal amulets of high-ranking members of the ‘Bwami society’. The present, male ivory figure is very old. This appears clearly from the fine tears on the surface and the dark, red-brown to almost black patina of this piece (ivory becomes darker with time). The 'coffee bean eyes' carved in Lega style are applied as cowrie shells on this item (cowrie shells are valuable objects and ‘money’). Chest and abdomen of the figure are densely decorated with small, round holes. A rare, beautiful object with minor age damage: some old pieces broken off on both hands and a minor flaw to the left leg and mouth. Between the 19th century and the first third of the 20th century; H: 16 cm. (ME) ASA
Provenance: Belgian collection.
Literature: 'Joyaux Lega', collection Benoit Rousseau, commissaire: Marc L. Felix, ill. 13, 14, 25, 27.
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: | 24.03.2014 - 16:00 |
| Location: | Vienna | Palais Dorotheum |
| Exhibition: | 18.03. - 24.03.2014 |
** Purchase price incl. buyer's premium and VAT
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