Rare sculpture de tête "wabalenga" - "wankenge" ·  R. D. Congo, Lega · ID: 3045783

Description

ivory, mass, cowrie snails,
This type of sculpture, which was the property of the “bwami” male society, is extremely rare. One of the few known examples published by Biebuyck (2002), p. 132, cat.71 (AHDRC 0026455).

The hierarchically organized “bwami” society regulated the political and social life of the Lega. Within the “bwami” the members had to go through different stages of initiation. The highest rank was the “kindi” level, which was associated with the highest degree of authority and prestige.

Present object shows an anthropomorphic head on a four-legged stool with elephant feet. Biebuyck interprets this depiction as “wabalenga” (lit. “who surpasses them”), as a personified appearance of a “kindi” with outstanding power and influence. Only with the support of a person of this superior stature can one hope to go through the entire system of initiations.

L’objet Rare sculpture de tête “wabalenga” - “wankenge” avec l’ID d’objet 3045783 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 92e vente aux enchères Tribal Art dans 29 juin 2019 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 207 a atteint un prix de vente de 3 800 €.

Vous trouverez ici d’autres objets et des informations utiles sur le thème Art africain.

Littérature comparée

Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brussels 2002, p. 132, cat.71

Remarques

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.