*Kalukili Lega spoon, Democratic Republic of Congo... Lot 15

*Kalukili Lega spoon, Democratic Republic of Congo Ivory L. 16 cm Provenance : Private collection, Switzerland At the heart of the Lega tradition is the Bwami society, an omnipresent, secret initiatory society divided into ranks. Intended to teach Lega moral and social values, the initiates of the society held sacred objects, gathered under the term masengo. Among them, the masengo (identical term) expressing their intrinsic strength, their magical power, the kalukili spoons, such as this one, having no usual role, were used when an individual reached the yananio rank. Two masked administrators would place it in each other's mouths, symbolizing the administration of a poisonous ordeal that was inflicted on those suspected of witchcraft. Handle with a dark patina, presenting two separate parts delicately joined at its end. Lot in temporary importation and subject to a fee of 5.5% to be paid by the buyer in addition to the selling expenses and the hammer price.