Stool c. 1900

This stool was made by an artist from the Luba people, likely from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is carved from wood, and features a kneeling female figure who supports the flat, circular seat. The Luba are known for their complex political system headed by a king. Artist workshops were often attached to the royal court. This stool isn’t just for sitting; it's a symbol of kingship. Only rulers were allowed to sit on them, and they were cared for by women. The female figure, with her elaborate hairstyle and scarification, embodies Luba ideals of beauty and refinement, linking the power of the ruler to female power and the continuity of kinship. The stool's design, with its emphasis on the female body, reflects a culture that values women's roles in society, although it is also important to remember that the stool reinforces the status of the male ruler. Scholars study Luba art through oral histories, ethnographic studies, and analyses of the objects themselves, providing insights into the social and political structures of the Luba people.