Tabouret cariatide "kihona"

Description

wood, dark brown patina, pigment remains, female supporting figure, the face with receding chin looking downwards, typical coiffure with heavy-weighted bun at the back of the head, prominent navel surrounded by raised scarification marks, slightly vaulted seat with ornamental decor around rim, slightly dam. (rim of the seat), paint chipped off in parts, traces of insect caused damage (legs, feet, base), cracks (seat, right side of the body), pedestal;
Luba stools do function as thrones, and are sat upon sometimes. But mainly they are embodiment of royal authority and most important insignia of kingship. Their sanctity was so great and their value so high that they were usually kept away in a secret location. Luba royal stools and most other emblems depict the female form, for power was considered to be gendered as both male and female. Beyond their role as the insignia of a king or chief, Luba stools have a metaphoric dimension, as mnemonic devices for the remembrance of key aspects of Luba royal history. For Luba scarifcation patterns were a true form of inscription, in the sense that the designs were intended to be carriers of information and memory, biographical traces of particular life histories within the Luba cultural constellation.

Publications

AHDRC: 0032209