Description:

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of Congo, Luba peoples, ca. late 19th to mid-20th century CE. This is a hand-carved wooden miniature lupona stool comprised of a kneeling nude woman holding the flattened disc seat over her head. She has delineated genitalia between her folded legs, and incised linear scarification marks on her stomach, sides, and cheeks. Her face is highly stylized with almond shaped eyes, wide lips, and pointed chin. Further back on her elongated head is a hook shaped coiffure. This woman figure represented fertility and her use as a lupona stool literally and symbolically shows her support of the person seated upon it. These smaller stools were probably entirely symbolic and not used for sitting. Size: 4" Diameter x 7" H (10.2 cm x 17.8 cm)

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection, acquired 1970s to 2000s

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#170448

  • Condition: Old inactive insect activity and bore holes on base. Chips and losses to front rim of base. Figure is intact and excellent. Light mineral and earthen deposits on surface and dark patina.

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June 15, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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