Lot 75, Auction 4/20/2026: Rare African Congo Wood Prestige Bed w/ Brass Tacks

$845.00

In stock

Central Africa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, likely Tabwa culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A stunning carved wooden day bed adorned with brass tacks arranged in scrolling patterns, exemplifying both artistry and cultural prestige. At the head of the bed, a prominent female figure emerges in high relief, likely serving as a protective or ancestral presence, watching over and guiding. The wood surface is worn to a smooth sheen, a testament to extended use. Brass upholstery tacks – originally acquired through trade with Europeans – were traditionally used in the region to embellish important objects associated with power and status. Their inclusion here suggests the bed was once the possession of a high-ranking or elite individual. Functioning as both a utilitarian object and a spiritual one, the bed embodies the cultural value placed on ancestral protection, prestige, and personal comfort. Size: 69″ L x 20″ W x 22″ H (175.3 cm x 50.8 cm x 55.9 cm)

Condition: Two legs have been reattached with visible break lines encircling them. Lustrous and smooth patina to the wood bed and figure. There are two old repairs using tin panels with rivets.

Provenance: private Louisville, Kentucky, USA collection, acquired 1990-1998

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all purchases.

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