Masque Lega Idimu - DR Congo (No reserve price)

Lega Idimu mask with a handle Some Lega masks have a handle carved on the back, allowing them to be held and presented to initiates. They serve as supports for moral teachings and proverbs. Mask Idimu Generally a larger mask With 28 cm, this mask sits more in the upper range, in the Idimu category These masks were almost never worn on the face, except on the temple or forehead for the smaller ones. During initiation rites, they were held in the hand by the fiber beard or by a grip (handle on the back), they were attached to the arm or to a palisade, dragged or stacked. Each mask was used to illustrate moral aphorisms sung and danced. It also indicated the rank held by the initiate within Bwami and above all represented a link with the deceased initiates, Indeed, Lega masks essentially represent a close link with the ancestors. The names of several mask forms refer to death: "lukungu," skull; "lukwakongo", death gathers; "idimu", ancestor. (Biebuyck 1954, 113). The masks are part of initiation objects displayed on the deceased’s grave before being passed on to their new owners. When the next member of the owner’s lineage reached the required level, he received the mask to pass it on at his death. Fairly light wood. Remnants of kaolin. Traces of use. 20th century.

Estimate:£175.8

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