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FRANCOIS EPIN ART & DESIGN CONSULTING

316 - Lega statuette, Bwami society Sculpture Wood with a deeply p…
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Estimate €200 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Lega statuette, Bwami society Sculpture Wood with a deeply polished honey-brown patina, accented with white mineral pigment (kaolin and mica), traces of ritual use Democratic Republic of the Congo, mid-20th century H24 cm. Small anthropomorphic female figure depicted standing, legs apart, supporting a strongly rounded abdomen. The concave face, framed by a line of peripheral perforations, displays the stylised features characteristic of Lega aesthetics: narrow, half-closed eyes, a long, straight nose, and a slightly parted mouth. Residues of white pigment remain in the recesses of the face mask, accentuating the meditative power of the gaze. The entire body is punctuated by fine marks and circular scarifications, likely associated with symbolic or initiatory markings. The surface, extraordinarily smoothed by repeated handling, reveals a deep, silky patina of wear. This sculpture belongs to the corpus of objects associated with the Bwami initiatory society, a central institution in the moral, philosophical and political thought of the Lega people. Anthropomorphic figures were used during initiatory teachings, with each work associated with proverbs, stories and ethical principles passed on to the initiates. The treatment of the face with white pigment refers to the symbolism of knowledge and spiritual transformation within the Bwami universe. The residual traces of kaolin bear witness here to ancient ceremonial use. Beautiful age and remarkable sculptural presence. This piece possesses a very fine stylistic coherence: the compact modelling, the tension between abstraction and the softness of the forms, as well as the quality of the patina, place it among high-quality Lega works, likely intended for an authentic initiatory context.
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About the sale Sculptural furniture and functional art
Auction location
Auction time 06/25/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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