Superbe trône, Tabwa, République Démocratique du Congo

Collecté par Pierre Dartevelle à Mpala, en 1975
Collection Willy Mestagh, Bruxelles
Christian Duponcheel, New York ou Bruxelles
Collection Elizabeth Lloyd Davis, Los Angeles, 1979
Collection Elizabeth et Richard B. Rodgers, Californie

Exposé et reproduit dans :
Maurer et Roberts, Tabwa, the Rising of a New Moon : A century of Tabwa Art, 1985 : 185, n° 68, catalogue de l'exposition, National Museum of African Art, Smithonian Institution, Washington, janvier-mars 1986 ; The University of Michigan Museum of Art, avril-aout 1986 ; Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Tervuren, septembre-octobre 1986

Losses and cracks to the openwork base, some visible in the catalogue illustration. Cracks and wear to the seat and back as a result of age and use within the culture.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Les trônes de chefs Tabwa sont très rares. L'exposition consacrée en 1986 par Maurer et Roberts à l'art des Tabwa en montrait sept, dont celui-ci - seul provenant d'une collection particulière, les six autres étant conservés dans des musées européens. Tous se composent d'une assise circulaire portée par un piètement ajouré - ici en larges triangles opposés - et d'un très haut dossier incurvé, richement orné d'un décor champlevé et de motifs figuratifs sculptés en haut relief.

Plus rares encore sont ceux, comme ici, à sujet anthropomorphe. Tandis que l'exemplaire du musée de Tervuren offre une composition à deux sujets, ce trône, ainsi que celui du British Museum (Maurer et Roberts, 1985 : 261, n° 296) représentent un personnage au buste symbolisé par le dossier élancé, la tête en ronde bosse émergeant au sommet. Le contraste entre l'ampleur du buste et la petite tête au port altier et aux traits resserrés, confère à la représentation toute sa majesté, accentuée par l'exceptionnelle natte de chef s'étirant à l'arrière. La profondeur de la patine, comparable à celle du trône du musée de Tervuren collecté par Emile Storms en 1884, témoigne de sa très grande ancienneté.

Différents des chaises cariatides des rois Luba, le style et la symbolique des trônes Tabwa se rattachent davantage à ceux des Nyamwezi et des Hehe de Tanzanie. Selon Maurer et Roberts (idem : 81), le décor à motifs champlevé envahissant le dos serait lié à des signes claniques et cosmiques, et à des symboles de fertilité et de pouvoir.

Superb Tabwa throne, Democratic Republic of the Congo

The thrones of Tabwa chiefs are very rare. The 1986 exhibition of Maurer and Roberts on the art of the Tabwa showed seven examples, including this piece, which is the only example still in a private collection; the other six are all in European museums. In all cases the thrones consist of a circular seat held up by a open-work base – constructed here in large opposing triangles – and a high curved back, lavishly adorned with champlevé carving and figurative motifs sculpted in high relief.

Thrones which include an anthropomorphic subject, such as the offered lot, are rarer still. While the composition of the example in the Tervuren Museum has two subjects, this throne, along with the example in the British Museum (Maurer et Roberts, 1985 : 261, n° 296), represents the bust of a person, symbolized by the elongated backrest, with the head emerging at the summit. The contrast between the magnitude of the bust and the small size of the head, with its proud and resolute face, confers on the representation a great sense of majesty, which is also accentuated by the exceptional carved braid of hair which falls down the chief's back. The depth of the patina, which is comparable to the throne in the Tervuren Museum collected by Emil Storms in 1884, speaks of its very great antiquity.

Very different from the caryatid stools of the Luba kings, the style and the symbolism of the Tabwa thrones relate more closely to those of the Nyamwezi and the Hehe tribes of Tanzania. According to Maurer and Roberts (ibid: 81), the profuse champlevé motifs which cover the back are signs of the clan and of the cosmos, and symbolize fertility and power.