Throne for An African Prince 1930

Editor: Here we have "Throne for An African Prince" by Olowe of Ise, created around 1930. It's a wooden sculpture, and what immediately strikes me is how narrative it is; you have all these figures supporting the throne itself. What kind of stories do you see in this piece? Curator: That's a great observation. To me, this throne speaks volumes about power, not just in terms of its presence but also in the relationships it depicts. Consider the figures supporting the throne; they aren't simply structural elements but rather visual representations of the community and systems upon which leadership rests. It encourages us to consider what kinds of labour and what societal roles are quite literally 'holding up' power, wouldn’t you say? Editor: Absolutely. I hadn’t thought about it so literally. It’s like the throne is only as strong as the people holding it up. I guess that makes you think about the responsibilities that come with power, too. Are there specific visual cues that point to this? Curator: Note the varying figures carved, from warriors to women with children. Each figure perhaps denotes the intersectional dynamics that constitute Yoruba society and, in turn, legitimise the Prince’s rule. Also, thrones were often displayed publicly. The Prince did not merely sit but was on display. Is the Prince merely a man or something more to the society around him? It poses interesting questions about constructed identity. Editor: So it's not just a functional object, but a complex statement about society. Looking at it this way, the throne is kind of confrontational. Curator: Precisely! By prompting discussions around those dynamics, its existence invites introspection and even, perhaps, inspires us to reimagine the foundation of power structures today. Editor: That is something to sit with – no pun intended. I’ll never look at a throne the same way again. Thanks!