20th Century African Stool

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A well-designed stool from the Asante people. Among the Asante, an elaborate stool like this serves multiple purposes in addition … Read more A well-designed stool from the Asante people. Among the Asante, an elaborate stool like this serves multiple purposes in addition to providing a well-designed seat to sit upon. Asante stools take their name Dwa from the wood out of which they are carved. When a daughter reaches the age of puberty her father is expected to give her stool that becomes not only her property but also identification with her soul and being. Often stools will be seen with their upper corners worn from being leaned up against the wall or laid down on their sides, this is to prevent someone else from sitting on it, or worse a malevolent spirit could take charge of the stool and the owner's spirit. Stools often have proverbs, sayings, or historical events identified with them. In fact, the skulls of defeated enemies were often attached to the stools of a victorious king! Stools start out as white wood and over time take on a burnished and well-worn hue. These stools are carved from a single piece of wood reflecting the skill and talent of the stool carvers and not nailed together as European chairs commonly are. Designs of stools may vary as to the inventiveness of the stool carver and today many of the proverbial forms are either forgotten or interpreted as a new form. See less