Unusual caryatid stool, before 1909 · D. R. Congo, Songye / Luba · ID: 3049671
By descent in the family, seller 2008
Anton Mentrup, Mainz-Kastel, Germany
Description
wood, blackish brown patina, original repairs
The stool shows two female and one male, respectively hermaphrodite caryatid figure with beard.
The Songye share with the neighbouring Luba the same mythical ancestor “kongolo” and the “kifwebe” mask society. The artistic expression of the two peoples also have much in common.
The Songye adopted certain types of Luba court representation as their own chiefly regalia, including caryatid stools, which were also used by the Songye as an emblem of status.
Wheras male caryatid stools do not exist in Luba tradition, Songye artists created both male and female stools.
The object Unusual caryatid stool, before 1909 with the object ID 3049671 was part of the auction Sale 100 on April 15, 2023. The object with the lot number 86 achieved a sales price of EUR 4,500 with an asking price of EUR 4,000.
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