Throne stool with high backrest and anthropomorphic head ·  Tanzania, Luguru / Kwere · ID: 3048031

Description

wood, pigments, traces of weathering and insect caused damage, missing parts, rest.

These high-backed throne stools with anthropomorphic heads are said to have been used by tribal leaders when sitting in judgement. They were an important piece of communal property and were passed down from generation to generation. They were thus of great importance historically and for the identity of the group.

According to Felix, these thrones are most common in the Luguru area and are thought to have spread from there to neighbouring areas (Felix, 1990, p. 152 f.).

The design of the substructure of present object, with its ring-shaped base and concentric struts, resembles a throne attributed to the Kwere (cf. Roy, 1997, p. 101, Fig. 44).

Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Kilengi, Afrikanische Kunst aus der Sammlung Bareiss, München 1997, p. 101 Felix, Marc L., Mwana Hiti, München 1990, p. 152 f.