Zemanek-Münster

Mask "lukungu" ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3041845

not available anymore
Provenance
Old Belgian Colonial Collection
Philippe & Lisa Laeremans, Liège, Belgium
Size
H: 17 cm
H: 6.7 inch

Description

ivory, brown patina, red pigment, flat and of regular oval form, drilled holes, base;
Lega masks fall into the category of “bwami” initiation objects. The Lega divide them into five types: “lukwakongo”, “kayamba”, “idimu”, “muminia” and “lukungu”. They serve as important marks of rank, identifying their owners as members of specific “bwami” levels. “Lukungu” is the final category of all initiation objects. It is only brought out during “kindi” initiations. In the event of death it is placed on the grave and afterwards is inherited to a nephew of the deceased. When “lukungu” masks are brought out, they are oiled and displayed on a fence or in front of their seated owners. The “lukungu” ivory masks should remind people of death and transcience.


The object Mask “lukungu” with the object ID 3041845 was last part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction at March 4, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 386.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.


Comparing literature

Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 54, ill. 3.8


Notices

This object is subject to CITES. Please note that it can only be sent within the European Union. At the present time export in third countries is prohibited, respectively, export licenses in third countries for objects containing or made of protected materials are only granted under stringent conditions.


Subscribe to our newsletter

Join over 10,000 tribal art collectors. Don't miss out on upcoming news and auctions.

Subscribe today