Caryatid Stool

Late 19th-early 20th century

Songye
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Central Africa

The image of a figure supporting a stool was probably introduced into Songye art in the 19th century by the neighboring Luba. This is one of a small group of stylistically similar stools featuring a muscular figure with splayed feet, flexed legs, and abstracted facial features, including a jutting chin. They likely served as symbols of rank and authority, although some could have been made for a European clientele.

Status: On View, Gallery 137
Department: Arts of Africa

Culture: Songye
Title: Caryatid Stool
Place: Democratic Republic of the Congo (Object made in)
Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.: 1875–1925
Medium: Wood, pigment, and copper alloy
Dimensions: 63.8 × 27.6 × 30.8 cm (25 1/8 × 10 7/8 × 12 1/8 in.)
Credit Line: The Art Institute of Chicago, Major Acquisitions Centennial Endowment
Reference Number: 1992.64

Constantine Petridis et al., Speaking of Objects: African Art at the Art Institute of Chicago (Chicago: Art Institute of Chicago, 2020), cat. no. 63, pp. 154-155 (ill.).
Constantine Petridis, “Making Objects Speak at the Art Institute of Chicago: A New Publication and a Refurbished Arts of Africa Gallery,” in Tribal Art magazine (No. 99, Spring 2021), p. 113 (ill.).

Art Institute of Chicago, Africa: Heads of State, Seats of Power, Sept. 2-Nov. 17, 1995, no cat.
Kimbell Art Museum, Forth Worth, Texas, “The Language of Beauty in African Art”, April 3-July 31, 2022.

Mr. and Mrs. Schepens, collected in Lusambo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, from 1924 [Christie’s, London, lot 110 information]. Sold, Christies, London, Dec. 3, 1991, lot 110, to the Art Institute.

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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Date Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

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