Lega mask in painted wood, late 19th – early 20th century

Originating from the Republic of the Congo and dating from the late 19th or early 20th century, this carved wooden Lega mask has an oval face coated with white pigments, surmounted by two curved horns. The face is defined by elongated eyes with slightly raised rims, a straight nose and a narrow mouth carved with small incisors. A row of evenly spaced perforations borders the pigmented area. Held in a Belgian private collection, the mask shows surface wear and a visible vertical crack running through the right side of the face. It measures 26 cm in height and 19 cm in width.