A very fine female statuette (Maginga in the plural), an object of rank from the Bwami society, in a very fine old style with a face marked with squared striations on the eyes (and head) superbly expressive with a nose sculpted as an arrow, the face in the shape of a heart and the mouth marked by an engraved point appearing to whistle or blow, particularly reminiscent of the face of a small ivory kalibamgoma collected by the Aurez administrator and now in the B. collection. Rousseau collection. Our sculpture can be compared with many others in ivory and elephant bone, but this one, with its striking expression, is particularly well executed from head to toe. The arms and hands are folded over a fertile belly in a subtle twisting motion, and the legs are carved in a beautiful angular, rhythmic style reminiscent of the stylization used in spoon design. The many and constant ritual manipulations to "bring the work into harmony", notably with oil, campêche wood powder, hematite and ashes, have worn and rounded the angles, contributing directly and consciously to its beauty. See: on Bitungwa artworks p. 56-60 and on the kalibangoma collected by Aurez p. 174 in Lega Ethics and Beauty in the Heart of Africa, Daniel Biebuyck, KBC, 2002. Lega, Democratic Republic of Congo 19th century Elephant bone, pearl necklace, superb old patina. H. 21.5 cm Provenance : Acquired between 1956 and 1957 by Mr. V. territorial administrator in Maniema between 1952 and 1959