Attribution Incomplete Notice
Collections and items in our institution have incomplete, inaccurate, and/or missing attribution. We are using this notice to clearly identify this material so that it can be updated, or corrected by communities of origin. Our institution is committed to collaboration and partnerships to address this problem of incorrect or missing attribution.
Open to Collaborate Notice
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Traditional Knowledge Notice
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Artwork Details
10-1/8 x 7-1/2 x 4 in.
Accession NumberGift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Copyright(Dr. Nicholas.A. de Kun, Belgium) collected piece in 1960 from Kambondo Villiage, Belgium Congo {1}; at unknown date sold to private collection of (Herbert Baker [1924-], Pacific Palisades, CA); sold on 11 October, 1977 to Harrison [1903-1997] and Edith Eiteljorg [1912-2003] of Indianapolis; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art, Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1989 {1} Belgium Congo now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lega masks serve as symbols of rank within the men’s Bwami association. Figures depict many characters and are also symbols of family continuity, since they pass from generation to generation.
During rituals, Lega masks are displayed or worn in a variety of ways. For example, this mask has no eyeholes because it was worn on the back or side of the head, rather than over the face. It also would have had a fiber beard attached, which is now missing.
The Lega mask includes variations of the sunken, heart-shaped face, a stylistic element found in many areas of the Equatorial Forest. Much of the white face coating has been worn away by handling.
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Metadata about the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection comes from Newfields’ records and research. In some cases, information may be incomplete and research is ongoing. Newfields’ goal is to have as up-to-date metadata as possible, therefore, this information is subject to change. Newfields collections’ metadata is available under a Creative Commons Zero (CC0) waiver, which allows for re-use without legal restrictions.
Artworks that appear in the image file(s) above may be in copyright or have other legal and/or cultural restrictions to their use. For clarity, Newfields does not claim copyright to the image files created by Newfields of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Newfields makes every effort to ascertain the copyright status of artworks in the Indianapolis Museum of Art’s collection. Please refer to the RightsStatements.org statement above for information about the current copyright status of the artwork. Additionally, some artworks may include Local Context’s Notices or Labels that attribute cultural authority of the artwork’s heritage and data.
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