Description:

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. 19th century CE. A horn carved into a curved gorget that widens near its center. It has two small holes drilled through its reverse side for suspension. The surface is a rich, dark cream color from patina and handling, with striations of darker brown and reddish brown from natural coloration of the horn. Comes with custom stand. Size: 1.5" W x 7.65" H (3.8 cm x 19.4 cm); height on stand: 8.45" (21.5 cm).

Like many central African peoples, the Lega have societies which are political organizations that require wealth to advance; their main society is called Bwami. In this society, the wearing of different materials signifies status, with ivory as the highest and wood as the lowest. This horn gorget would have belonged to someone just below the highest level.

Provenance: Ex-New Jersey Collection

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#120076

  • Condition: Dark, lustrous patina from handling; form has some old damage to one suspension hole (on the reverse) and to the lower part of one side. Some scoring, also old, on the reverse may be natural variations in the horn or early wear.

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February 9, 2017 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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