Miniature mask "lukwakongo" · D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3041592
Hans Dietrich Rielau, Hösbach, Germany (1997)
Description
middle brown wood, remains of kaolin, a heart-shaped facial plane without eyes and mouth, originally whitened with kaolin, three drillings in the chin area for attachment of plant fibre beard, min. dam., fine cracks, traces of abrasion;
masks and figures without eyes or mouth are sometimes associated with the following aphorism: “Where the patrilinieal kinship is finished, I shall reveal for you those (kin) on mother’s side.” This is to emphasize the importance of the maternal uncles of which the Lega recognize several categories. A person can get support and protection among any of these.
The object Miniature mask “lukwakongo” with the object ID 3041592 was part of the auction 85th Tribal Art Auction on March 4, 2017. The object with the lot number 70 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,000 with an asking price of EUR 2,500.
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Comparing literature
Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brussels 2002, p. 74, ill. 19