Trône Bamiléké Cameroun Carved Wood

Rare and imposing chieftaincy stool / African ceremonial throne from Cameroon Bamiléké Bamoun ethnic group -Good condition, no breakage or missing parts, dimensions: 63 cm X 67 cm- The large size of this piece makes it a monoxyle table, entirely carved directly from the round trunk of an iroko tree (made in one piece, without any assembly). It is reminiscent of small round wooden stools, yet inspired by the European concept of the ceremonial table, It is richly decorated with three jaguars in the center (a major symbol of royalty in Bamiléké iconography), topped by Tukah masks supporting the tabletop, alternating with three male statues wearing prestigious finery and holding libatory horns. According to notes by missionary photographer Paul Gebauer, the table was originally used in a reception room by King Ase Yuefainyi, himself a sculptor and ruler of Babanki-Tungo.