Très rare masque en cuir · R. D. Congo, Lega · ID: 3048891
Description
hide, pigment, base
Lega masks made of animal skin are extremely rare. A comparable object formerly Jef Vanderstraete, published in Biebuyck, 2002, p. 115, cat. 60.
According to Biebuyck, a connection with the secret face masks of the “elanda” association is conceivable, an institution of the neighbouring Bembe shared by only a few eastern Lega groups (cf. Felix, 2016, cat. 292).
These leather masks were originally decorated with feathers, and sometimes a set of porcupine quills. They were “highly secret” and used by high-ranking initiates of the “elanda” association, worn over their faces and only seen through a wall of the initiation house.
Their roles were different from that of Bwami masks: they “transformed the wearer into a spiritual being to amplify the social control functions vested in him.
L’objet Très rare masque en cuir avec l’ID d’objet 3048891 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 98e vente aux enchères dans 26 mars 2022 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 277 a atteint un prix de vente de 4 000 €.
Vous trouverez d’autres Masques et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.
Littérature comparée
Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brussels 2002, p. 115, cat. 60 Felix, Marc Leo, Masks in Congo, Hong Kong 2016, cat. 292