Object Details
Maker
Chokwe artist
Description
Wood chair with leather seat, flared legs, two horizontal back splats, male face with headdress top center, 3D figures carved on chair rails: displayed male figure; displayed female figure; embracing couple; man with blacksmith bellows and forge.
Provenance
Unknown artist, Democratic Republic of the Congo or Angola; left Chokwe community under unknown circumstances, by 1966. Acquired under unknown circumstances by Helena Rubinstein (1872-1965), New York; sale, “African and Oceanic Art - The Collection of Helena Rubinstein,” Parke-Bernet Galleries, New York, April 21 and 29, 1966, no. 243, to Paul Tishman (1900-1966) and Ruth (Worms) Tishman (1905-1999), New York; given to Walt Disney World Co., Los Angeles, 1984; given to National Museum of African Art, Washington, D.C., 2005.
Exhibition History
Helena Rubinstein: Madame's Collection, Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris, November 19, 2019-June 28, 2020
African Emblems of Status, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., October 29, 1982-April 3, 1983
The Stranger Among Us, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 24-September 7, 1982
Published References
Parke-Bernet. 1966. African and Oceanic Art: The Collection of Helena Rubinstein. Auction catalogue (April 21, 29). New York, 2469, no. 243.
Content Statement
As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.
Image Requests
High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Tishman
Date
Late 19th to mid-20th century
Object number
81-23-3
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Decorative Arts
Medium
Wood, skin, metal
Dimensions
H x W x D: 60.1 x 29.9 x 39.7 cm (23 11/16 x 11 3/4 x 15 5/8 in.)
Geography
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Angola
See more items in
National Museum of African Art Collection
Data Source
National Museum of African Art
Topic
male
female
couple
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmafa_81-23-3