Description:

**First Time At Auction**

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A delightful mask with an avian, almost owl-like beak, and tiny drilled perforations forming the eyes and mouth, giving it a surprised look. The face is inset into the wood, leaving the beak to project below a heavy brow, in the classic heart-shaped form associated with many masks from this culture. A white kaolin pigment has been applied uniformly across the exposed front side of the face, while a thick, sap-like black color is on the back rim of the mask. In Lega tradition, masks are a symbol of their owner's rank within the Bwami society, which is an initiative society whose membership is open to Lega men and women who undergo a system of instruction, payment, and initiation. Each time a mask like this one was used, it was rubbed again with white clay. Size: 4" W x 7.2" H (10.2 cm x 18.3 cm); height on stand: 9.25" (23.5 cm)

Provenance: private Adeon Gallery, Chicago, Illinois, USA, acquired prior to 1970

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#122922

  • Condition: Patina from handling and age on surface, with wear to paint as shown. A small patch of old tape has stained the inside on one cheek on the back of the mask.

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June 26, 2017 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000