Guiding Tradition King Ishindi's Royal Collection

Abstract

The University of Iowa's (Stanley) African art collection contains a number of important nineteenth century Lunda-Chokwe royal items created during these peoples’ period of territorial and political expansion in areas of Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia. Based on recent field documentation, this essay considers the Stanley art objects in comparison to a collection of similar works currently housed in the palace and royal treasury of Lunda paramount chief Ishindi of Zambia. This essay will explore the contextual differences a museum vs. a royal treasury represents and suggests what the “life” of historic art objects in the Stanley collection may have been. This exploration will help create a picture of the original/ceremonial context for the museum pieces and provide a deeper understanding of the efficacy and function of the works of art.