A Superb Tabwa Paddle, Democratic Republic of the Congo

the flat panel of abstract form consisting of two symmetrically concave segments, linked by a diamond shaped segement with "W's" cut out at the horizontal points supporting, the female figure with a belt of glass beads slung around the hips and strands of blue and white beads wrapped around the neck, the whole decorated with intricately carved patterns of scarification; exceptionally fine, partially lustrous, varied brown patina.

Reportedly collected before 1920 by Mr. Goodall of Shepshed, England
M.F. Page, Esquire
Acquired at Christie's London, June 25, 1984, lot 143

Los Angeles, UCLA Fowler Museum, Body Politics. The Female Image in Luba Art and the Sculpture of Alison Saar, November 12, 2000 - May 13, 2001

Arts d'Afrique Noire, 51, Automne 1984, p. 54
Evan M. Maurer and Allen F. Roberts, Tabwa: the Rising of a New Moon, Ann Arbor, 1985, p. 175, fig. 61
Jean Baptiste Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998, p. 165, fig. 9
Mary H., Nooter, M. Roberts, Alison Saar, Body Politics: The Female Image in Luba Art and the Sculpture of Alison Saar, 2000, p. 22, fig. 17
David Deroche, "Monumental Miniatures: The Saul and Marsha Stanoff Collection," Tribal Art, 32, Autumn 2003, p. 66, fig. 9

For another Tabwa paddle of closely related style see Maurer and Roberts (1985: 259, fig. 278). While the exact use of these paddles is not known, the female figure on top of both staffs, showing rich scarification and prominent genitalia, suggests that they were linked to fecundity. Neyt (in Maurer and Roberts 1985: 78) notes a "profusion of cicatrix designs follow[ing] horizontal or vertical axes" as a recurrent theme of Tabwa scarifications, and continues, "[these patterns have astral or cosmic interpretations that are reinforced by those positing familial or social significance." He adds that "there is also a rich symbolism in the bead necklaces that are found on many of these statues. The bead may signify the individual, and the necklace may represent the clan. Therefore, there may be hierarchy reproduced in the way beads are chosen and the colours of certain necklaces."

The Stanoff paddle was reportedly collected by a "Mr. Goodall of Shepshed, an administrator in Rhodesia who brought the staff to England before 1920" (Christie's London, June 25, 1984, lot 143). Edward Basil Herbert Goodall CBE (b. July 11, 1885 - d. January 28, 1936) first assumed office in the British South African Company territories in 1908. He became Provincial Commissioner, then Senior Provincial Commissioner in Northern Rhodesia, modern day Zambia. He was interested in not only his work in Africa but also in the culture as he wrote, Some Wemba Words; Some Meanings and Explanations (1921). Significantly, both the Tabwa and Wemba live in Zambia.