△ Léga mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Lot 6

△ Léga mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo Wood with superb patina, kaolin H. 15 cm Small wooden masks, or lukwakongo, were among the most important insignia of a higher-grade initiate. They embodied succession and continuity within the bwami society and family group, and could be handed down for several generations. The lukwakongo in the Durand-Ruel collection has an exceptional patina, bearing witness to its very long ritual use, its importance at the heart of society and the care it received. Its surface is decorated with a classic pattern of pointed circles. Large holes on the chin once held a beard of braided fibers. His expression, imbued with the most archaic features of Lega culture, oscillates between cunning and pain. The position of its eyes and the rictus of its mouth subtly set it in motion. There's no doubt about it, this little mask is a true masterpiece.