Lega Elephant Hide Mask, Democratic Republic of the Congo

made of African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) hide, with Domestic Chicken (Gallus gallus) feathers attached.

Collected in situ by Nicolas de Kun between 1948-1960
Julius and Josefa Carlebach, New York, acquired from the above in April 1963
Zafrira and Itzhak Shoher, Tel Aviv, acquired from the above

Very good condition for an object of this great age and rare type. Minor marks, nicks, scratches, pits, and abrasions consistent with age and use. Areas of tiny parallel scratches from ritual scrapings including: top proper right edge; pit at top proper right near edge; around both eyes and the mouth; an an area at proper left edge; all visible in the catalogue photograph. Hide is dry and very hard. Original vegetable fiber attachment with chicken feathers very fragile and stabilized on bottom. Exceptionally fine aged patina with remants of kaolin and red pigment.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Lega masks made from elephant hide are extremely rare. Only two other examples are known: one formerly in the collection of Jef Vanderstraete, Lasne (Biebuyck 2002: 115, cat. 60). And a second in the Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, which was purchased in 1963 from A. Prigogine (inv. no. "RG 63.50.7", published in MRAC 1995: 243, cat. 209). The overall appearance and style of that mask is very similar to the Shoher mask. However, while the Shoher mask shows evidence of extensive ritual use, especially  in form of Lega-typical surface scrapings above the mouth, around both eyes and around a conical hole on the proper right side above the eye, the Tervuren mask shows no such evidence. It is conceivable, that the Tervuren mask was made as replacement of the Shoher mask.

In his discussion of the Tervuren mask, however, Biebuyck (in MRAC 1995: 376, text to cat. 209) suggests another possibility: "This mask was probably cut out in the sole of an elephant foot. The oval shaped, flat mask has ovoid open eyes and mouth, circular open nostrils, a broad nose marked by incisions. [...] It is possible that in some ritual communities the Lega initiates of Bwami used similar masks, mainly as replacement for the larger, lost or confiscated, communally owned wooden or ivory masks. [This hypothesis appears implausible in light of the existence of the Shoher mask which was, of course, unknown to Biebuyck at the time of his publication. Based on the extent of ritual surface scraping on the Shoher mask it must have been at least 50 years old at the time of its collecting which would date it to the turn of the 19th/20th centuries. Even a significantly earlier date is conceivable.] In the Bwami initiations that I witnessed throughout Lega-land, I have not observed the use of similar masks in elephant hide with feather trimmings. In its total appearance, the object is very similar to extremely secret face masks manufactured in animal hide or beaded cloth, with feather trimmings, and eventually also with arrangements of porcupine quills. These masks are worn before the face by high-ranking members of the 'Elanda association and seen only in an initiation house behind a screen. This association occurs among the Bembe and some of the adjoining Eastern Lega groups. Functionally the 'Elanda mask is very different from the Bwami mask among the Lega, because it is a transformation device that makes its wearer into a spirit-like being with the purpose of enhancing social control functions." However, in his publication of the Vanderstraete Mask, Biebuyck reaffirmed the Lega attribution (2002: 115, cat. 60).