Necklace "mubanga" · D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3034262
Description
blue and white glass beads of different size, thread on plant fibre bast, eighteen animal teeth inbetween, an ivory pendant in form of a stylized half figure attached in the middle, min. dam., cracks through age, slight traces of abrasion;
the beaded necklace with one, two or an indefinite number of leopard teeth is a privilege of all initiates. It belongs to the “bwami” insignia (“bilondo”), public proclamations of rank and status within the “bwami” society.
The object Necklace “mubanga” with the object ID 3034262 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 442.
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Comparing literature
Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 70