A Prestige ‘Caryatid’ Stool

Dark patina reflective of its use and age
Wood, metal
Tschokwe / Zombo, Congo
Late 19th Century - Early 20th Century

?Provenance:
Collected in-situ before 1920
Galerie Bernard Dulon, Paris, France
Ex Lucas Ratton, Paris, France
Ex Private English collection

In Congolese societies, including the Tschokwe or Zombo, the ‘caryatid’ seat (or stool) is an attribute of prestige, belonging to a high ranking official, chief or sorcerer. The male figure seated, supporting the seat with his head and hands, the legs and bulging belly, adorned with ‘upholstery’ nails, valued for their rarity in the Congo. A few areas show indigenous repairs, testifying to the important ritual significance of this object, being repaired rather than discarded.