Exceptional Tchokwe Throne XIXth Century

Superb very old Dignitary chair richly carved with many characters height 107 cm for 51cm wide and 49cm deep we can see women pounding grain? on the top bar and in the middle, two women holding a man by the sex (which makes me say that it may be a throne reserved for circumcision) as much as in the bottom bar of the backrest two figures present a bowl ready to receive blood, numerous brass nails are driven into the uprights. A leather seat with a brass plaque representing a face (a mask?) The bar below the seat where are carved two figures holding a cup (which for me confirms the circumcision) on the sides two entwined figures lying hugging each other in the arms (coitus scene) Two caryatids carved on the feet. This exceptional throne was part of the personal collection of Mrs VERITE (father and son, Pierre and Claude) some small accidents without seriousness that I point out not to have the reproach (I will say usury of use) The Tchokwés are a population of Bantu language of Central and Southern Africa, especially present in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, and to a lesser degree in Zambia. A few thousand also live in Namibia. This type of chair appeared towards the end of the 17th century and was inspired by European chairs The Portuguese Dignitaries arriving in Africa with their luxurious furniture and in particular the famous sedan chairs, Africans did not lack time to attribute this mark to themselves. of prestige by sculpting milestones of their life on their own chairs free shipping worldwide