Lega Maskette, Democratic Republic of the Congo

lukwakongo
height 7 5/8in (19.5cm)

Provenance
Jean-Pierre Lapage Collection, Brussels
Drs. John and Nicole Dintenfass Collection, New York, acquired in the late 1970s
Martin and Roberta Lerner Collection, New York
Galerie Hélène and Philippe Leloup, Paris
Galerie Joaquin Pecci, Brussels
Galerie Oliver Castellano, Paris
Drs. John and Nicole Dintenfass Collection, New York

The concave heart-shaped face of this maskette has large, perforated circular eyes with protuberant, oblong eyeballs. The face is divided into two halves by a sharp-ridged nose above a pierced, oval mouth in symmetry with the eyes; pierced around the rim for fiber attachment with some holes worn through; fine, light brown patina with wear indicative of much use.