Stool - Hemba / Luba - DR Congo
07
days
01
hour
18
minutes
36
seconds
Starting bid
€ 1
Reserve price not met
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Selected by Julien Gauthier
A decade of experience in historical arms, armour, and African art.
Estimate € 280 - € 330
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Description from the seller
Congo RDC
Hemba / Luba
Wood
Height: 280mm
Width: 145mm
Length: 240mm
Weight: 1560g
This object comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more precisely from the Luba (Baluba) people. Its aesthetics allow it to be specifically linked to the Shankadi sub-group, located west of the Lualaba River. It is a prestige seat (often called lupona or kipona).
1. Stylistic Characteristics: The Shankadi Style
Examination of the piece reveals the hallmark markers of high Luba-Shankadi statuary:
- The “Cascade” or Terraced Hairstyle: At the back of the figure’s head, the hair is organized in several successive horizontal levels. This is the absolute signature of the Shankadi workshops, heavily influenced by the famous style of the “Master of the Cascade Hairstyle.”
- The Sacred Equestrian Figure: Unlike classic caryatid seats where the figure is simply kneeling or standing, the figure here bestrides a stylized animal mount, an antelope (or a hartebeest) recognizable by its long annelated horns pointing backward.
- The Base and the Seat: The whole piece is carved from a single block of wood (monoxyle). The upper platform, slightly curved to fit the body or head, is supported jointly by the figure’s head and the tips of the animal’s horns. The rectangular base and the edge of the seat are highlighted with incised geometric friezes in chevrons or diamonds.
2. Traditional Use and Meaning
In Luba cosmogony and political organization, such a piece is not a mere utility object; it is charged with a vast spiritual dimension.
A. A Royal Power and Prestige Emblem
These seats were the exclusive property of earth chiefs, diviners, or high dignitaries. They literally and symbolically served to “seat” the political and spiritual authority of the sovereign. No one other than the dignitary could touch it or sit on it.
B. The Ancestors’ Receptacle and the Role of the Antelope
Among the Luba, the human figure (who often embodies the founding ancestor or the spirit of kingship) paired with the antelope forms a powerful mystical alliance.
- The antelope is a forest-dwelling animal revered for its speed and its link to the invisible world.
- The fact that the figure rides the animal symbolizes the spirits of kingship’ ability to travel swiftly between the world of the dead (the beyond) and the world of the living to guide the chief.
- The animal’s horns, in ritual practice, also evoke protection and were sometimes symbolically charged with magico-medicinal ingredients to ensure the sovereign’s health and the clan’s prosperity.
In summary, this work is a remarkable testament to the courtly art of the Luba-Shankadi. Through its terraced coiffure and its complex iconography blending man and antelope, this regal object embodied the sacred bond linking the legitimate chief to his protective ancestors.
The items are shipped with insured shipping and tracking number.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateCongo RDC
Hemba / Luba
Wood
Height: 280mm
Width: 145mm
Length: 240mm
Weight: 1560g
This object comes from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and more precisely from the Luba (Baluba) people. Its aesthetics allow it to be specifically linked to the Shankadi sub-group, located west of the Lualaba River. It is a prestige seat (often called lupona or kipona).
1. Stylistic Characteristics: The Shankadi Style
Examination of the piece reveals the hallmark markers of high Luba-Shankadi statuary:
- The “Cascade” or Terraced Hairstyle: At the back of the figure’s head, the hair is organized in several successive horizontal levels. This is the absolute signature of the Shankadi workshops, heavily influenced by the famous style of the “Master of the Cascade Hairstyle.”
- The Sacred Equestrian Figure: Unlike classic caryatid seats where the figure is simply kneeling or standing, the figure here bestrides a stylized animal mount, an antelope (or a hartebeest) recognizable by its long annelated horns pointing backward.
- The Base and the Seat: The whole piece is carved from a single block of wood (monoxyle). The upper platform, slightly curved to fit the body or head, is supported jointly by the figure’s head and the tips of the animal’s horns. The rectangular base and the edge of the seat are highlighted with incised geometric friezes in chevrons or diamonds.
2. Traditional Use and Meaning
In Luba cosmogony and political organization, such a piece is not a mere utility object; it is charged with a vast spiritual dimension.
A. A Royal Power and Prestige Emblem
These seats were the exclusive property of earth chiefs, diviners, or high dignitaries. They literally and symbolically served to “seat” the political and spiritual authority of the sovereign. No one other than the dignitary could touch it or sit on it.
B. The Ancestors’ Receptacle and the Role of the Antelope
Among the Luba, the human figure (who often embodies the founding ancestor or the spirit of kingship) paired with the antelope forms a powerful mystical alliance.
- The antelope is a forest-dwelling animal revered for its speed and its link to the invisible world.
- The fact that the figure rides the animal symbolizes the spirits of kingship’ ability to travel swiftly between the world of the dead (the beyond) and the world of the living to guide the chief.
- The animal’s horns, in ritual practice, also evoke protection and were sometimes symbolically charged with magico-medicinal ingredients to ensure the sovereign’s health and the clan’s prosperity.
In summary, this work is a remarkable testament to the courtly art of the Luba-Shankadi. Through its terraced coiffure and its complex iconography blending man and antelope, this regal object embodied the sacred bond linking the legitimate chief to his protective ancestors.
The items are shipped with insured shipping and tracking number.
Packages are sent from Monday to Saturday. Delivery in France in 1 to 3 days with Chronopost, and between 2 and 5 days across Europe. Worldwide delivery with Colissimo International.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Stool
Ethnic group/ culture
Hemba / Luba
Country of Origin
DR Congo
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Sold by
