Wooden head rest carved by the Luba of Central Africa.
Musée du Quai Branly Paris, France
Erich Lessing / Art Resource, NY
Africa
Republic of the Congo
The Luba, like their close relatives the Songye, are famous for their carving skills. Traditionally Luba culture centered on the sacred lineage of its kings. Neighbouring regions sought to align themselves with the Luba court and thereby allowed the Luba's courtly traditions to be widely dispersed. The wear evident on other examples of Luba royal footwear suggests that they were handed down and worn by several generations.