Items Similar to "Messenger Mask Lega - Zaire, " Wood & Clay created in Africa circa 1925
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
Unknown"Messenger Mask Lega - Zaire, " Wood & Clay created in Africa circa 1925circa 1925
circa 1925
$3,000
£2,249.39
€2,607.84
CA$4,186.66
A$4,676.11
CHF 2,429.85
MX$56,945.67
NOK 30,864.54
SEK 29,083.29
DKK 19,457.62
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
This mask, made out of wood and clay, was created by an unknown artist from the Lega tribe in Zaire. This mask was to be worn on the chest.
12 1/2" x 8 3/8" x 1 1/4" mask
Bwami masks and figures are symbols of the owner's rank within the Bwami society. The objects represent moral or social values, and are used during initiation rites. The Bwami works of art are often associated with proverbs, and these proverbs in conjunction with dance, poetry and song give wisdom to members of the society. Beauty, knowledge and power are intertwined.
Some artwork can only be seen, handled or owned by the highest grades of the society. The objects are typically small and simple in form, and have a striking patina that derives from being handled or worn on the body. Ivory objects usually have russet or yellow patinas. The masks are fairly standardized, although the most important masks with special ritual use or symbolic meaning may have distinctive design. A typical mask will have a concave heart-shaped face. The forehead protrudes slightly, the nose is narrow, eyes are slits and the mouth is slightly open. Every time a mask is used it is rubbed with white clay, over time acquiring a white patina.
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1966
1stDibs seller since 2017
435 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Milwaukee, WI
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View All"Mende Mask, " Carved Wooden Mask created in Sierra Leone c. 1930
Located in Milwaukee, WI
This mask was hand-carved by an unknown artist from the Mende tribe in Sierra Leone, Africa. It depicts a face with its eyes downcast, hair in rows, and two birds on the top.
16" x 10" x 10 1/2"
The Mende people (also spelled Mendi) are one of the two largest ethnic groups in Sierra Leone. The Mende are mostly farmers and hunters. Much Mandé art is in the form of jewelry and carvings. The masks associated with the fraternal and sorority associations of the Marka and the Mendé are probably the best-known, and finely crafted in the region. The Mandé also produce beautifully woven fabrics which are popular throughout western Africa, and gold and silver necklaces, bracelets, armlets, and earrings.
Masks are the collective Mind of Mende community; viewed as one body, they are the Spirit of the Mende people. The Mende mask...
Category
1930s Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Mask, Baga Guinea, " Carved Wood c. 1920
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Mask, Baga Guinea" is a carved wooden mask created c. 1920. Where a face would go in the mask is actually the body of a woman figure. There are two breasts above a hole for the mask wearer...
Category
Early 20th Century Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Toma Mask, Guinea, " Carved Wood from Africa created circa 1900
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Toma Mask, Guinea" is a carved wooden mask from Africa and created in c. 1900. The painting has worn away, but around the eyes the painting is easier to see...
Category
Early 1900s Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Secret Society Mask-Sierra Leone W. Africa, " Wood created circa 1930
Located in Milwaukee, WI
"Secret Society Mask-Sierra Leone W. Africa," is a wood sculpture of a woman's head. The hair has been sculpted with intricate detail, and metal hair adornments...
Category
1930s Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Male Initiation Mask Wawa-Ibo Tribe, " Wood created in Nigeria circa 1910
Located in Milwaukee, WI
This mask was created by an unknown artist from the Waawa-Igbo tribe of Nigeria. It is made of wood. Amongst the Waawa people there is a lot of cultural diversity, and each locality ...
Category
1910s Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Dan Mask, " Carved Wood created in Liberia circa the 1950s
Located in Milwaukee, WI
The Dan people of Liberia have a history of using masks like these for rituals pertaining to various aspects of their lives.
This particular mask has a commanding, yet gentle presence. The carved wooden face...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
African Dan Mask from Ivory Coast
Located in Montreal, QC
African Dan mask from Ivory Coast with stitched and nailed cloth.
Category
Vintage 1970s Ivorian More Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Lwalwa Tribal Mask
Located in Montreal, QC
African Lwalwa tribal mask enhanced with white pigment on the mouth and ears.
Category
Vintage 1960s Congolese Masks
Materials
Wood
African Carved Gabon Mask No:1
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
A unique mask, handmade by artisans in the Punu region of Gabon. This mask has been crafted using wood carving techniques and adorned with polychrome tempera paint, giving it a dist...
Category
20th Century Ghanaian Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
1950's Lega 'Idimu' Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Located in London, GB
This mid-twentieth century finely carved mask, from the Lega culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, displays the typically heart-shaped face of Lega 'Idimu' masks. Traces o...
Category
Vintage 1950s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Raffia, Hardwood
Chokwe Mask, Democratic Republic of The Congo 20th Century
Located in Austin, TX
This exquisite mask, meticulously crafted by the Chokwe people, embodies both spiritual power and artistic finesse. Its design, rooted in tradition, carries layers of meaning that re...
Category
20th Century Congolese Masks
Materials
Wood
African Mask
Located in Branford, CT
African mask. Mid 20th century. Carved wood.
H 9-1/2" W 6-1/2"
Category
Mid-20th Century Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
$400
More Ways To Browse
African Wood Art
African Wood Sculptures
Antique Clay Art
Antique Wood Mask
Wood Sculpture Dancers
Nose Sculpture
African Clay
Face Mask Sculpture
Concave Sculpture
African Wood Mask
African Mask White
Antique Ivory Chest
Antique African Masks
Antique African Wood Figures
Lega Tribe Mask
Lega Mask
Jewish Figurine
Marcel Gimond