Lot 427

Tabwa Wood Day Bed, Brass Tack Decoration | 69"L

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Lot 427
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Tabwa Wood Day Bed, Brass Tack Decoration | 69"L
Tabwa Wood Day Bed, Brass Tack Decoration | 69"L
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Tabwa Wood Day Bed, Brass Tack Decoration | 69"L

Estimate: $1,100 - $1,650

Starting Bid: $450

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

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)

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

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Item # 193502

  • 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.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000