Caryatid stool · D. R. Congo, Songye · ID: 3034617
not available anymore
Size
H: 56 cm
H: 22.0 inch
Description
light brown wood, partly encrusted brown patina, remains of pigments, wearing a loincloth and necklaces, the mouth stuffed with animal skin, rep. (cracks at the seat and base), missing parts through insect caused damage (base), traces of usage;
the use of such stools was reserved for special occacions, such as birth, initiation, marriage, or a case of death. They were reserved for a political and spiritual “upper class”, such as chiefs, priests, medicine men, healers and dignitaries. They mainly fullfilled representative and/or ritual functions, but were donated to kings or merited dignitaries as well. They were not destined to be shown in public.
Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L., 100 Peoples of Zaire and their Sculpture, Brüssel 1987, p. 165, ill. 21