Small chief's stool ·  D. R. Congo, Chokwe · ID: 3039713

Description

wood, red and dark brown patina, four-legged, the square seat covered with animal skin, firmly braced with sinews, cross struts elaborate carved with figural scenes and two figures wearing ancestor spirit masks “cihongo” to the front, slightly dam. (leather along seat edges), small traces of insect caused damage, minor missing parts (head of one figure);
small chairs of this kind where used by the chiefs when they made a tour through the village or went to the market. Quite often they are carved with scenes from the daily life, history, religion or mythology of the Chokwe. They were status symbols of the chief and expression of their power and authority as well as a sign of maximum spiritual power.