Large anthropomorphic mask "idimu" · D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3048906
Galerie Jahn, Munich, Germany
Description
wood, kaolin, handwritten inventory no. “576”, rest., base
The social and spiritual life of the Lega is governed by the “bwami” society. Within the association there are five initiation levels, or societies, which every man must pass through in order to be considered a fully initiated member of the community in the teachings and traditions of the people.
“Idimu” masks are used by members of the “yananio” or “kindi” initiation level.
During an important ritual ceremony, they were attached to small wooden racks “pala”. Around them are hung the small “lukwakongo” masks, which belong to individual owners and together embody the community of the “bwami” society.
The object Large anthropomorphic mask “idimu” with the object ID 3048906 was last part of the auction 98th Auction at March 26, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 280 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,500.
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Comparing literature
Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 179, i ll. 9.4