Lega statuette, Democratic Republic of the Congo,... Lot 67

Lega statuette, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ivory, in elephantidea. Height 15.5 cm CIC n° FR2400200387 - K Provenance: Lourdmer-Poulain, Paris, June 8, 1978, no. 183 Private collection, acquired at this sale Sotheby's, Paris, June 22, 2016, no. 57 Private collection, Paris The ivory statues known as iginga were reserved exclusively for the highest-ranking initiates of the bwami association, the lutumbo lwa kindi. According to Bebuyck (in Tervuren, 1995: 381), they could also be passed on, and become an heirloom for a deceased relative after being displayed on his or her tombstone. Each is associated with a specific aphorism, "recalling the virtues of the initiates of past generations, they maintain the moral, social, legal and philosophical rules and norms upheld by their predecessors; they are the links between past and present generations [and finally constitute] sacra, sacred objects, filled with vital force" (idem). This statue is certainly one of the finest specimens of its type in the Lega ivory corpus. It is distinguished by the rarity of the type, its great vigor, the intensity of its expression and the beauty of its ornamentation. The stature of the proud, well-positioned figure is accentuated by the modeling and dimensions of the limbs, the thick bust and the muscularity of the legs. The red-brown patina is obtained during the kibongia masengo rite, during which the statues are anointed with oil and pigments, and perfumed. The very fine patina of the Rousseau collection example suggests that it was used for several generations.