Lega Ancestor Figure

The Lega ethnic group, also referred to as Warega, can be situated in south Kivu, a region in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ethnographic objects within the tribe were used in ceremonies of the Bwami, the highly hierarchical social structure that governs the life of the Lega.
 
The ancestor figure presented here is particularly well proportioned. It presents typical aesthetics of the Lega tribe with its white-kaolin heart-shaped face, while implementing a beautiful play of geometric forms. Soft round edges of the head to the belly are effortlessly combined with sharper cuts of elbows and shoulders ending in a plateau. The style of this fine piece could almost be envisaged as a predecessor of Art Deco.
 
Tribe:
Lega, Democratic Republic of Congo
 
Period:
Mid 20th century
 
wood
28 cm
sold without stand