Details
Description
Stool (Gbon)
Culture: Senufo
Geography: Northern Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso
Date: late 19th-early 20th century
Medium: Solid carved wood
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Stool (Gbon)
Culture: Senufo
Geography: Northern Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Burkina Faso
Date: late 19th-early 20th century
Medium: Solid carved wood
Dimensions: Height: 29.8 cm (11.75 in); Width: 48.9 cm (19.25 in); Depth: 41.9 cm (16.5 in)
Condition: In used condition with a deep, undisturbed patina and surface wear consistent with extensive age and use. The seat shows a pronounced sheen from long-term handling.
Provenance: Professor Philip Gould, NYC.
Notes/Literature: Professor of Chinese Art History at Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College, Professor Philip Gould was a passionate collector of African Art, and curated numerous museum and gallery exhibitions from his personal collection.
Description:
This stool, known as a gbon in the Senufo language, is a fine example of early 20th-century Senufo craftsmanship. It is hand-carved from a single block of wood, a technique that demonstrates considerable skill and command of material. The object's aesthetic power derives from its sculptural form and the rich, glossy patina acquired through generations of use. The wear on the seat surface is not damage but a testament to its functional history and cultural importance.
Cultural Context:
Among the Senufo people, stools are not merely utilitarian objects but are invested with social and spiritual significance. They are symbols of authority, status, and continuity. A stool of this size and type was typically used by a male elder or a leader within the community, often during councils or important gatherings. The transfer of a stool could symbolize the transfer of authority. Their design prioritizes stability and durability, reflecting their role in daily and ceremonial life.
About the Senufo:
The Senufo are a matrilineal society of farmers and artists renowned throughout West Africa for their sophisticated artistic traditions, including woodcarving, mask-making, and metalwork. Their world is organized around *Poro*, a male initiation society that educates young men in cultural values, history, and crafts over a 21-year cycle. Art objects, such as this stool, are integral to social structure, ritual, and the communication of knowledge and power across generations.
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- Dimensions
- 19.25ʺW × 16.5ʺD × 11.75ʺH
- Seat Height
- 11.75 in
- Number of Seats
- 1
- Period
- 19th Century
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Wood
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- In used condition with a deep, undisturbed patina and surface wear consistent with extensive age and use. The seat shows … moreIn used condition with a deep, undisturbed patina and surface wear consistent with extensive age and use. The seat shows a pronounced sheen from long-term handling. less
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