Lot 128
Pre-Columbian, Caribbean area, perhaps Dominican Republic, Taino (Arawak) Indians, ca. 14th century CE. A spectacular wooden ceremonial stool known as a duho, impressively hand-carved in the form of an otherworldly creature and incised with elaborate, geometric motifs. Duhos were magical seats believed to take their owners travelling between worlds and grant them the power of prophecy! The reptilian zoomorph stands upon 4 short yet sturdy legs, and dramatically projects his head forward, parting the lips of his huge mouth to expose gritting teeth - an expression the Taino usually associated with psychedelic intoxication. His stylized visage exhibits traditional attributes of a zemi or ancestral spirit figure with huge, sunken eyes, a protruding snout, and sizable, drilled ears. The elongated, crescent-shaped body forms the seat of the stool, which is incised with mesmerizing, linear motifs. Size: 26.2" L x 9" W x 8.6" H (66.5 cm x 22.9 cm x 21.8 cm)
According to the "A History of the World in 100 Objects," a joint project of BBC Radio 4 and the British Museum: "The Taino people believed that they lived in parallel with an invisible world of ancestors and gods, from whom their leaders could seek knowledge of the future. A duho would be owned only by the most important members of a community, and it was the vital means of getting through to the realm of the spirits. It was in one sense a throne, but it was also a portal, and a vehicle to the supernatural world
.This is a seat for a leader, for the chief of a village or a region. Taino leaders were both male and female, and the duho embodied their social, political and religious power, and it was crucial to the functioning of their society. We know that in at least one instance a leader was buried sitting on his duho."
Provenance: private Florida, USA collection; ex-Mr. Pierre Fayet collection, France; ex-Mr. Philippe Bringuier collection, France
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#184581
- Condition: Lots of natural stable fissures and heavy weathering to wood as shown with a few chips and pitting in areas, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive preservation of carved detail, rich patina, and earthen encrustations. Modern finish to wood.
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