Luba (Baluba, Kaluba, Louba, Uruwa, Waluba, Warua), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Chief’s stool. One million Luba people inhabit the entire southeastern part of the DRC, as far as Tanganyika and Lake Mweru. The splendid artistic achievements of the Luba are due to a felicitous intermingling of different racial and cultural elements, and to the high standards prevailing at the court. Luba arts counts amongst the finest that Africa has to offer. Such stools are the exclusive patrimony of the chiefs and famous members of society. These are not objects intended for daily use; the chief sits on the stool only when he needs to attempt to mediate between the world of the living and the world of ancestors. Generally, because the Luba society is matrilineal, the characters represented are feminine, recognizing women’s role as founders of the society. A total absence of effort makes us understand the superior power of the ancestor. Contributing to the creation of this sensation are the composure of the face, the absence of muscular contractions, and the fingers of the hands that sustain the weight. This circular stool has been carved from one tree trunk.

Material: wood

Size: H. 18”, Diameter 14½”