PETAMBOUOM THRONE
Beaded Throne
Bamoun. Wood, beads, cowrie shells. H: 60.5/154 cm
Provenance: Family of Jean-Pierre Lendo
This rare throne, as with other pieces in this collection, was mandated by King Seidou to reinforce Bamoun cultural identity as part of a broader effort to build cohesion during and following World War II. In 1941, King Seidou turned to the renowned sculptor of the Royal Palace, Ngapawouo Nkonmoun Soulé, to craft this throne for use in traditional rituals and ceremonies at the Palace.
In 1978, the throne was given to Captain Jean-Pierre Lendo, head of the Sultan’s military guard and husband of Princess Mariatou, daughter of King Seidou. King Seidou used the occasion of the bequeathal ceremony to thank Captain Lendo for his military service, and to thank Princess Mariatou for her many years of diligent work ensuring that members of the Palace and the Bamoun community received adequate food provisions. Throughout those years, the princess organized the three-day Nguon festival, an occasion for the redistribution of agricultural produce to the most needy.
The throne is regally finished with five colored beads and cowry shells, in keeping with decades-old traditional styles and iconography. The throne remained with the Lendo family until 2019.
Njoya M. Arouna and David W. Reed
