Caryatid stool

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Description

light brown wood, dark brown patina, a male/female couple standing back to back on a disc-shaped base, the female figure provided with body scarifications, rep. (breakages base, right arm of the male figure), cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
such stools were only brought out on special occasions, such as birth, initiation, marriage, or in case of death. They were reserved for a political and spiritual “upper class”, such as kings, chiefs, priests, medicine men, healers or dignitaries. They mainly had representative and/or ritual function, but were given away to other chiefs or dignitaries as well. They were not made for the public. When not in use, they were wrapped in white cloth and were kept in a safe place.

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Comparing literature

d'Udekem, Marie-Eliane (ed.), Luba Hemba, New York 1979, p. 23, ill. 28

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