Caryatid Stool19th century. Wood. D.R.C (Songye)Image courtesy of the Savannah African Art Museum.

Caryatid Stool

19th century. Wood. D.R.C (Songye)

Image courtesy of the Savannah African Art Museum.

Traditional African furniture is distinct by being close to the ground.

A variety of furniture forms are present throughout the museum, such as stools, neck rests, back rests and recliners. Neck rests and stools are common among the nomadic peoples of Africa Among the sedentary cultures, furniture is reserved primarily for titleholders. This practice reaches its climax among the Ashanti people who live in present-day Ghana. At the royal court of the Asantehene (the king of the Ashanti) the highest authority is the Golden Stool, a stool no mortal, even the king, may sit on.

European contact resulted in the adoption of the chaise as an expression of wealth. Many Africans would adapt these introduced styles to their liking, keeping them close to the ground.

Bibliography:

  1. Bocola, Sandro, and Heini Schneebeli. African Seats. Prestel, 2002.

By Maxime Mballa-Tagny.