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Royal Bed
Royal Bed
Oku Province, Cameroon, 20th Century
carved from a single block of wood 19 h × 82 w × 27½ d in (48 × 208 × 70 cm)
carved from a single block of wood 19 h × 82 w × 27½ d in (48 × 208 × 70 cm)
estimate: $10,000–15,000
African beds of this type were reserved solely for the king. Remarkably, this ceremonial bed was carved from a single tree trunk, not assembled pieces. Its base is decorated with two rows of male figures in procession. The top platform is ornamented on its two lengths with images of lizards, a symbol of longevity. At the headrest another two rows of lizards appear along with the prestigious symbol of the grasslands buffalo and a row of stylized bats appear at the foot. All these images are royal prerogative used to express power, prestige and entitlement.
