Caryatid stool
D. R. Congo, Luba/Tabwa
not available anymore
Provenance
Jo de Buck, Brussels, BelgiumSize
H: 47 cm
H: 18.5 inch
Description
light wood, reddish brown patina, traces of black paint, kneeling female caryatid figure with lozenge-shaped tribal marks, the coiffure on the backside forming a massive handle, dam. (nose, rim of the seat), traces of insect caused damage, abrasion of paint, base;
the depiction of women on stools is a symbol for the influential part of the First woman of a king or chief. The female caryatid figure quasi supports the sacral power, which is incarnated in the owner of the stool. The woman pulling the strings behind the throne - an image which finds expression in the saying: “Men are chiefs by day, but women are chiefs by night”.