Description : Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figurine used for ceremonial performances in order to teach moral values consistent with ideals held by those in the Bwami Society. The figure is composed of a tapering conical body with delineated arms, a narrow neck, and a spherical head, all atop an integral hemispherical plinth as well as an egg-shaped base with several filed slits for attaching to a headdress as an ornamental finial. The compressed face features concentric circle eyes, a slit-form mouth, and smooth peripheries, and lustrous red-brown patina enshrouds the entire carving. Size: 1.5 W x 4.6 H (3.8 cm x 11.7 cm).
Provenance: ex-Zemanek-Munster Tribal Art Auction (auction #303, part of lot 6788), collected in the 1960s by Andre Navez in Kivu province
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146411
Price: 0.00 USDIt's free to register now to view!
Estimate (low-high) : 1400 USD-2100 USDIt's free to register now to view!
About the lot N° 92G Title : Lega Wood Bwami Figure Condition report : Minor abrasions to base, body, and head, with a couple of stable hairline fissures, otherwise intact and very good. Fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label beneath base. Artemis Gallery, auctioneer, Louisville, USIt's free to register now to view! Sale title : Pre-Columbian | Tribal | Ethnographic Sale date : 25 Jul 2019It's free to register now to view! Sale Reference : Live Sale