Bamileke Wood Stool, Cameroon

A zigzag that keeps going around until it runs out of stool.

This carved wood stool is Bamileke, from Cameroon in Central Africa, and dates to the 20th century. In Bamileke kingdoms, stools could mark rank, with certain seats reserved for rulers and titleholders, and zigzag openwork like this is often read as the earth spider, a creature linked with wisdom. Rows of chevrons stack up around the open drum, cut boldly enough that the tool marks show. A dished round seat sits on top, and a heavy ring forms the foot. The dark surface has a soft sheen. Twenty inches high and twenty wide.

Sitting on it feels like a promotion.