Photographs © Tim Hamill
Stools indicate status, power and succession of chiefs and kings. Carved from single blocks, Asante (or Ashanti) stools traditionally have crescent-shaped seats, flat bases and complex support structures, which exist in many designs with symbolic meaning. Most had specific names and designated users. Asante stools are spiritual as well as practical. They were understood to be the seat of the owner's soul and when not in use were leaned against a wall so that other souls passing by would not settle on it.
PLEASE NOTE: The damage/repair reports describe the worst damage even if it cannot be seen in the photos and details are included of any major problems. In spite of their damage all are stable enough to be used as stools. Although easy to miss, the base on this stool was apparently so badly damaged that it was removed and replaced with a new flat base.
Although all of the stools pictured here look and feel used, some were probably made to be sold.
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