Old African Mask - Primitive Art - Lega Idimu Mask - Congo

First half of the 20th century Africa - Congo Private collection from Auvergne, collected in Congo between the 1940s and 1960s This remarkable African wooden mask, whose face is entirely covered in kaolin (white pigment), was used during the initiation rites of the Bwami among the Lega. This Idimu-type mask was reserved for the two highest grades of Bwami initiation: lutumbo lwa yananio and lutumbo lwa kindi. The mask presents a singular typology in Lega African art. The face, relatively circular in shape, contrasts with other masks that are often more oblong. Its small ears, brought back to the face, and the heart-shaped central part of the face are reminiscent of certain pipibudzè masks of the Kwele, originally from Gabon. This combination of features makes it a rare and symbolically charged piece, reflecting the traditions and beliefs of the Lega. Iconography consulted: Ivory Treasures: The art of the Lega of Central Africa Lega: ethics and beauty in the heart of Africa Dimensions: Height: 26 cm ALL DELIVERIES ARE MADE BY DHL EXPRESS ONLY!