Ashanti Royal Stool with Figural Group

Gilded tableau under a swoop of a seat, with two seated figures at the center

This royal stool with figural group is Ashanti, from Ghana, West Africa, and dates to the early 20th century. It is carved wood. The Ashanti traditionally believed a person's soul inhabited his or her stool, so stools not in use were tilted on their sides to keep other spirits from taking up residence. A stool with a curved seat resting on a decorated rail, with two tall standing figures at each end and two smaller seated figures between them. The whole piece has a gilded golden surface and a patterned rectangular base. It is 32.5 inches wide, 16 deep and 29 high.

A small gold stage set, perfectly lit and slightly overdressed.