**Originally Listed At $1500**

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A delightful mask of an elegant human face. Narrow, rectangular openwork eyes and mouth surround a long, thin low relief nose. The face is inset into the wood, leaving the nose to project below a relief brow, in the classic heart-shaped form associated with many masks from this culture. The remains of a raffia beard are visible along the chin, and the face was likely once painted white with kaolin clay. Size: 6.6" W x 10.5" H (16.8 cm x 26.7 cm); 18.7" H (47.5 cm) on included custom stand.

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.

Lega masks, whose distinctive style inspired Cubists, have sold very well at auction. See for example one at Christie's Paris, June 19, 2014, Lot 55, which sold for EUR 20000 (approximately 22000 USD)

Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection

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#151258

The mask is lightly weathered, with a small crack and loss on the forehead, and small scratches, chips, and nicks overall commensurate with age.