Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo
Lega

Bone, leather, copper, shells, twine
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 28 inches
Aerophone – Lip Vibrated – Horn

An expressive ceremonial trumpet/horn from the Lega People. Very carefully crafted object made from animal bone, with depiction of three faces, representing ancestors, the living, and the unborn. The oval lip shaped blow-hole in the center is where the living figure resides. The bottom depicts the ancestor and is represented by a heavy leather bell attached to the bone with metal (copper) rings pierced around the bottom edge.