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Luba, Headrest
Tribe: Luba (Baluba)
Region: Democratic Republic of Congo (Lualaba river basin)
Size: 6.5"
Weight: 13oz
Material: wood
This beautiful example of Luba tribal art was acquired in 1985.
The Luba people have a great variety of carving. The most characteristic are
bowl-holding figures, elaborate stools with seats supported on different
caryatids and fine miniatures in the shape of wooden headrests.
The pair of twins or a couple is the most popular form of headrests' caryatids.
A man and woman often appear together in African art and mythology as a
symbol of the beginning of human life.
The headrests were produced to protect the elaborate head-dresses of the women
during their sleep. The very same fan-like, cascade hairdo is elaborately
carved on the head of one of the figures.
This headrest shows a sitting couple, facing each other. They are obviously caressing
each other and this could be regarded as a rare example of the display of
some sensual attraction in African tribal art.
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