Democratic Republic of the Congo, Lega people, ca. early to mid-20th Century. A traditional Lega initiation mask, typically classified as an Idimu type. These masks are central to the Bwami society, a social and political hierarchy among the Lega that emphasizes moral and ethical development. This example is carved from wood, featuring a white-pigmented surface (kaolin clay), which is highly symbolic in Lega culture, representing spiritual clarity, light, and the "invisibility" of the ancestors. It is adorned with a fiber beard, which is frequently added to these masks for use in ritual performances. Has a nice patina on the front and edges. The scarifications on the face appear to have been added later in time after the mask was made. Provenance of private collection of a dealer in San Francisco. We guarantee every item as described, and have 2-3 experts look at each item to come to a consensus. Please feel free to reach out at anytime with any questions, comments, concerns or issues. We ship in house and do what we can to ensure the shipping costs are as reasonable as possible.