Asante Stool - Kumasi Region, Ghana Carved from a single block of wood, this stool combines a gently curved seat with a wide, rectangular base. A robust, openwork central section mediates between them, its rounded openings lending the solid construction a surprising lightness. The upward curve of the seat forms a soft, almost floating shape. Notches, cracks, and the honey- to light-brown patina bear witness to its age and use; elaborate ornamentation has been largely omitted. It is precisely this formal focus that gives the object its monumental serenity. Among the Asante people of central Ghana, whose historical power center is Kumasi, the stool (dwa) holds a significance that extends far beyond its function as a seat. The basic form and openwork central support correspond to a widespread Asante tradition. Personal stools are closely linked to the identity and vitality of their owners; stools belonging to important deceased individuals could be blackened and preserved as memorial objects in ancestral shrines. At the same time, the stool became a central symbol of political authority. Its highest expression is the Golden Stool (Sika Dwa Kofi), symbol of the Asante state. Without provenance, however, it is impossible to determine whether the present example was used for everyday or ceremonial purposes. Literature (selection): Herbert M. Cole / Doran H. Ross: The Arts of Ghana. Los Angeles 1977. Malcolm D. McLeod: The Asante. London 1981. A. A. Y. Kyerematen: Panoply of Ghana. New York 1964. Some of the information and photos are generated by artificial intelligence and is based on published sources from the fields of ethnography, archaeology, and art history documents. All information and photos are protected by copyright. Inv. No. MAZ28353 Informant: Coulibaly