Early 20th C. African Lega Wood Figure - Moral Values
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Description
**Originally Listed At $750**
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figurine used for ceremonial performances in order to teach moral values consistent with ideals held by those in the Bwami Society. The figure is composed of a tapering conical body with delineated arms, a narrow neck, and a spherical head, all atop an integral hemispherical plinth as well as an egg-shaped base with several filed slits for attaching to a headdress as an ornamental finial. The compressed face features concentric circle eyes, a slit-form mouth, and smooth peripheries, and lustrous red-brown patina enshrouds the entire carving. Size: 1.5" W x 4.6" H (3.8 cm x 11.7 cm).
Provenance: ex-Zemanek-Munster Tribal Art Auction (auction #303, part of lot 6788); collected in the 1960s by Andre Navez in Kivu province
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146411
Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figurine used for ceremonial performances in order to teach moral values consistent with ideals held by those in the Bwami Society. The figure is composed of a tapering conical body with delineated arms, a narrow neck, and a spherical head, all atop an integral hemispherical plinth as well as an egg-shaped base with several filed slits for attaching to a headdress as an ornamental finial. The compressed face features concentric circle eyes, a slit-form mouth, and smooth peripheries, and lustrous red-brown patina enshrouds the entire carving. Size: 1.5" W x 4.6" H (3.8 cm x 11.7 cm).
Provenance: ex-Zemanek-Munster Tribal Art Auction (auction #303, part of lot 6788); collected in the 1960s by Andre Navez in Kivu province
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#146411
Condition
Minor abrasions to base, body, and head, with a couple of stable hairline fissures, otherwise intact and very good. Fabulous patina throughout. Old inventory label beneath base.
Buyer's Premium
- 27.5%
Early 20th C. African Lega Wood Figure - Moral Values
Estimate $200 - $300
2 bidders are watching this item.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, usOffers In-House Shipping
Payment
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Auction Curated By
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
PhD. Art History, Director, Fine & Visual Arts
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