Luba pair headrests, Dem. Rep. Congo

LUBA PAIR HEADRESTS, DRC

Please visit the LUBA HEADREST PAGE.

LUBA
PAIR 3
7.5" high
$200

LUBA
PAIR 6
7.25" high
$200

TABWA
PAIR 11
6.75" high
SOLD

LUBA
PAIR 13
7.25" high
$200

The headrests below have been sold. They are left here for reference and educational purposes.

Photographs © Hamill

LUBA, PAIR HEADRESTS, DRC
Most Luba art relates to kings and important chiefs, who defined their power by the display of prestige objects during important ceremonies. Headrests were more personal, and were used primarily to support the neck, preserving the elaborate hair styles traditional among the Luba people. Motifs included figures, pairs of figures, a figure on horseback and more. The user was literally as well as figuratively supported by the carved figures, which also symbolized the continuity of power in a matrilineal society. Elaborate coiffures and scarification patterns attested to the high rank of both the depicted figure and the owner of the headrest. Similar in style and quality are Luba stools, among the most prized in Africa.

Despite their appearance, these headrests show little evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

PHOTOGRAPHY NOTE: All of the headrests are very dark and the newer photographs are the more accurate in color.

GO TO LUBA STOOL PAGE

GO TO LUBA HEADRESTS PAGE 1

GO TO LUBA HEADRESTS PAGE 2

GO TO LUBA ART PAGE

GO TO FAMILY MATTERS EXHIBITION PAGE

GO TO MATERNITY FIGURES PAGE

GO TO COUPLES PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN FIGURES PAGE

GO TO NEW ADDITIONS PAGE

GO TO AFRICAN STOOLS PAGE

GO TO ARTIFACTS PAGE

HOMEPAGE

Index by
TRIBE

Index by
OBJECT