Stool

Object Details

Luba artist

Label Text

Diverse groups across the vast African continent assign seats according to social hierarchies. Important individuals sit on carved stools or chairs while those of lesser status stand or sit on the ground. Caryatid stools such as this, with a female figure supporting the seat, literally elevated leaders. As significant objects of royal regalia, stools served as repositories for the political and spiritual power of a ruler both during his reign and after his death.

Description

Round wood stool supported by a kneeling female figure with upraised arms, raised scarification on the torso, a hairstyle with a cross form projecting from the back of the head and an incised band representing stylized cowrie shells around the edge of the seat and base.

Provenance

Michel Wolf, Brussels

Philippe Guimiot, Brussels, -- to 1978

Dr. Robert and Helen Kuhn, Los Angeles, 1989 to 2000

Exhibition History

African Mosaic: Selections from the Permanent Collection, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2013–August 12, 2019 (deinstalled July 8, 2019)

African Mosaic: Celebrating a Decade of Collecting, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 19, 2010-November 13, 2013

Treasures, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., November 17, 2004-August 15, 2005

Recent Acquisitions 2001, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., May 6-October 7, 2001

Gifts to the National Collection of African Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., September 17, 1997-January 4, 1998

Published References

Patton, Sharon F. 2004. Treasures: Smithsonian National Museum of African Art. Washington, D.C.: National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution. Folio.

Sotheby's. 1991. The Kuhn Collection of African Art. Auction catalogue (November 20). New York, no. 88.

Content Statement

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Image Requests

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Credit Line

Gift from the Kuhn Family Trust

Mid-late 19th century

Object number

2000-22-1

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Decorative Arts

Medium

Wood, glass beads, plant fiber

Dimensions

H x D: 53.3 x 35 cm (21 x 13 3/4 in.)

Geography

Kabalo region, Democratic Republic of the Congo

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

National Museum of African Art

Topic

Leadership

Male use

male

female

Record ID

nmafa_2000-22-1

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys7678e5a07-3c8e-4a77-9da7-0dd0f3cab3ce