African Chief's Seat • Lupona Caryatid Stool • Luba • Democratic Republic of Congo • 1930

Magnificent luba chief's chair in solid wood - republic of congo early 20th century - former belgian collection this superb caryatid chair - a metaphor for royal power - shows the genius of an artist as much as it exposes the conceptual combinations and artistic intertwinings that were formed in the south-east of what is now the democratic republic of congo. The monoxyle wooden chairs supported by a figure, most often female, constitute a recurring motif in african statuary and are among his most original creations. At the beginning of the 20th century, when they broke free from the ethnographic sphere to be also consecrated by avant-garde circles and then by the art market - where "the most mysterious relationships" were established - they became caryatids. This term, borrowed from ancient architecture, at the same time anchored these chairs in the anthology of art history and established them as the new classic. This type of stool was not intended to be used as a seat, but served as a symbolic expression of the power of a deceased chief. They also act as a form of remembrance, as part of the ancestor worship that is an important part of luba society. These commemorative stools always have the figure of a woman supporting the seat, and they are carved to represent the luba concept of ideal female beauty. In luba society, women are considered the receptacles of spiritual power, and these figures embody the power of the chiefs • description: luba chief's seat - throne - stool - palaver seat • ethnicity: luba • country: drc congo • material: carved solid wood • period: early 20th century • provenance: belgian collection • condition: very good • dimensions: 35.5 cm × 33.5 cm.