Miniature mask "lukungu"
R. D. Congo, Lega
Vendu
1 200 €
Provenance
Peter Biesmans, Bilzen, BelgiumTaille
H: 4,5 cm
H: 1.8 inch
Description
ivory, honey brown patina, flatted chin and forehead area, circular decorations, drilled hole on each side, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
“lukungu” masks belong to members of “bwami”- society who already have reached the highest rank of kindi. “Lukungu” means “skull” and should be a hint that the mask is thought to remind of deceased “kindi” members. At initiation ceremonies they were oiled and then displayed on a kind of fence or attached to bigger “muminia” or “idimu” masks.