Lega (Democratic Republic of Congo). Mask. Bone. Height: 5 7/8 inches Width: 2 7/8 inches Depth: 1 3/8 inches. Among the...

Description

Lega (Democratic Republic of Congo)
Mask
Bone
Height: 5 7/8 inches Width: 2 7/8 inches Depth: 1 3/8 inches

Among the Lega masks are categorized by material, size, and form, rather than, as westerners would, being separated according to function. "Most of what we know as Lega 'masks' are sculptures of the human face that are rarely worn over the face and never for purposes of true transformation (Biebuyck 1993, 190)" (Elizabeth L. Cameron. Art of the Lega. Los Angeles: UCLA Fowler Museum of Cultural History, 201, p.178). "Interestingly, Lega masks differ ... as well ... from masks used in many other African masquerade traditions in that while women do not own them, both men and women handle and present them in very similar performances" (Cameron, loc. cit.). The condition is very good.

Provenance: Dr. Jay T. Last, Los Angeles
John Buxton, Dallas



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