Democratic Republic of the Congo. A carved wooden Chokwe chief’s chair or prestige throne, with an elevated square seat, high arched back supports, and figural decoration throughout. The seat has a woven rush-style surface with a raised basket-weave texture. Chairs of this type were associated with chiefly authority, lineage, protection, and ritual leadership.
Dimensions approximately 34 x 20 x 22 inches
In Very Good condition. Surface wear throughout, including scratches, abrasions, accretive residue, dust, staining, and areas of rubbed patina. Heavy residue and buildup are visible across the seat surface. Scattered chips and losses are present along the seat edges, carved figures, corner blocks, feet, and raised decorative elements. Age-related cracking and separation are visible at multiple joints, including seat-to-frame, front and rear corner block, back support-to-seat, lower stretcher, and figural attachment points. Cracks and separations are especially visible near the front seat corners, around the rear upright supports, at the lower side rails, and along the base and stretcher elements. More