Democratic Republic of Congo, Kuba, late 18th century
Wood
H5.0m, W21.0, D22.0 cm
Emil Torday collection
Ethno 1909, 5-13.2
Kuba kings are traditionally commemorated by 'portraits' that were carved to represent principles of kingship and celebrate the reign of individual members of the ruling dynasty. The earliest of these is associated with the founder of the Kuba kingdom, Shyaam aMbul aNgoong, who lived in the early sixteenth century.
Although called 'portraits' these are not likenesses of the individual ruler but rather spirit doubles often produced after the physical death of the individual ruler. They were kept in the royal palace and were used to maintain the spiritual influence of the king when he was on a journey or to incubate in an incoming king the spirit of his royal predecessors. This was done by rubbing the figure with camwood and palm oil to release the royal essence encapsulated in the object.
Each king figure is identified by the emblem which is carved on the plinth. Kings are associated with innovation and invention. Thus a figure of a king associated with iron-working is characterised by the addition of tan icon of an anvil. Here the image is of a drum and is associated with King MishaaPelyeeng aNce, who ruled in the late eighteenth century. It is thus amongst the oldest documented wood sculptures from Africa that survives. The other features of the figure - the hat, sword, belt and armlet - are all standard items of royal regalia which are found on all the king figures.
Wood
H5.0m, W21.0, D22.0 cm
Emil Torday collection
Ethno 1909, 5-13.2
Kuba kings are traditionally commemorated by 'portraits' that were carved to represent principles of kingship and celebrate the reign of individual members of the ruling dynasty. The earliest of these is associated with the founder of the Kuba kingdom, Shyaam aMbul aNgoong, who lived in the early sixteenth century.
Although called 'portraits' these are not likenesses of the individual ruler but rather spirit doubles often produced after the physical death of the individual ruler. They were kept in the royal palace and were used to maintain the spiritual influence of the king when he was on a journey or to incubate in an incoming king the spirit of his royal predecessors. This was done by rubbing the figure with camwood and palm oil to release the royal essence encapsulated in the object.
Each king figure is identified by the emblem which is carved on the plinth. Kings are associated with innovation and invention. Thus a figure of a king associated with iron-working is characterised by the addition of tan icon of an anvil. Here the image is of a drum and is associated with King MishaaPelyeeng aNce, who ruled in the late eighteenth century. It is thus amongst the oldest documented wood sculptures from Africa that survives. The other features of the figure - the hat, sword, belt and armlet - are all standard items of royal regalia which are found on all the king figures.
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