Low Stool Dwa

Origin: Asante Tribe, Ghana
Composition: wood, metal repair

Stools have a special place in Asante tradition, functioning at the most exalted and the most mundane levels. The "Golden Stool," believed to have been owned by the first king of the Asante and inherited by succeeding  kings, is an emblem of royal power. It is steeped in lore and said to embody the soul of the Asante nation. Other stools that once belonged to kings of noblemen are kept in shrines and cared for like ancestor figures. Ceremonial stools may be adorned with gold or silver appliqué, amulets, and bells. Stools can be symbolic gifts, presented to family members as expressions of solidarity, or can serve simply as household furniture. Utilitarian stools are less elaborately carved than those used ceremonially.

When they arrived on the coast of Ghana in 1471, Portuguese sailors were astonished by the highly structured kingdoms they encountered. This initial contact, along with the area's reputation for being wealthy, encouraged Westerners to settle in the region, and a prosperous trade economy resulted. The Asante (also known as the Ashanti) inhabit the central region of Ghana, which is mostly forested. They and other groups living in central and south Ghana speak a Twi language and collectively form the Akan people (Ref: Bacquart, "Tribal Arts of Africa"; "Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa"; Robbins, "African Art in American Collections").

Please contact us to inquire about this piece at (415) 362-6601 or info@sujaro.com.