Caryatid stool
D. R. Congo, Luba
sold
EUR 10,000
Provenance
Willy Claes, Antwerp, BelgiumSotheby Parke Bernet, New York, November 9, 1979, lot 109
Richard Rüegg, Zurich, Switzerland
Size
H: 36 cm
H: 14.2 inch
Description
wood, slightly shiny brown patina, abundantly adorned with scarification marks, which are thought to enhance beauty and erotic pleasure, collection number in white paint at the bottom “718. C. W. 10.”, rep. with metal clamp (base), min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
based on coiffure and tattoos the female caryatid figures can be recognized as notables, depicting ancestors and female clan founders.The carayatid stools were reserved for the chief and represented the continuity of power.