Wooden Stool with Head Shape
Item
Accession Number
2024.71.
Title
Wooden Stool with Head Shape
Ethnic Group
Luba
Subject
Object|Social Status|Central Africa
Country
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Date
Early 20th Century
Medium
Patinated wood, iron nails, glass beads
Format
H x W x D: 10 3/4 in x 8 3/4 in x 8 in (27.305 cm x 22.225 cm x 20.32 cm)
Description
The Luba stool is carved of wood, with metal pins lining the base and seat. Thin sheets of metal can be seen on the base of the stool and on the seat in line with the front of the figure. These metal sheets may have been used to repair cracks in the wood. The figure is seated with its elbows resting on its knees, and hands cuffing around the ears. Female genitalia can be seen on the figure, along with colorful glass beads wrapping around the waist. They elbows and glabella have been decorated with metal pins. The face of the figure has a horizontal emphasis, with narrow eyes and a thin, wide mouth. This highly decorated Luba stool was most likely used by those in leadership roles. Stools of such a style were often used as decoration, however this stool appears to have some wear as noted by the metal sheets.
Type
Stool
