Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lega-style maker / probably 1800s
Figure (iginga)
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Figure (iginga) as sculpture (Africa, Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lega-style maker · probably 1800s).
The dark surface (patina) of this sculpture comes from years of handling and the application of oil and a red powder called tukula ; it was originally cream-colored!
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this sculpture as Elephant ivory, tukula, and oil.
The museum's collection notes: The life of Lega men and women is structured around their advancement through the different grades of the Bwami association. Fulfilling political, social, religious, and other roles, the members’ ultimate purpose is the pursuit of wisdom and excellence. Ivory figurines were reserved for members of the two highest Bwami grades, in which the core of the Lega’s moral philosophy is revealed.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtFigure (iginga)Original explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.