This small pendant belongs to men’s society “bwami” from the Lega tribe an ethnic group found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lega tribe art is created for primarily their semisecret associations of men and women, such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples.
Only members of the “Kindi” level were allowed to possess such ivory figures. Each object was combined with special proverbs implying positive or negative meaning, depending on the context in which they were has been carved out of ivory in the form of a human. A hole has been drilled where the columnar neck terminates, allowing this pendant to be strung upon a necklace. Stylistically, the face is characteristic of the Lega style, including eyes represented by two concentric circles, a motif repeated along the sides of the neck. Such a pendant may have served as decoration distinguishing the wearer as someone of wealth and taste. Alternately, it may have had a religious or ceremonial function. It has a brown colouration, light in weight and looks physically old with traces of usage.
- Material: Ivory
- Age:approx 55-75yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic Of Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CMI-088
- Weight: 0.1 kg
- Dimensions: 2 x 9 x 2 cm