Nupe 8 Legged Stool / Table

Eight legs, like a spider that studied joinery.

Nupe carvers of Nigeria, West Africa, made this eight-legged stool or table in wood in the 20th century. Nupe stools and tables are commonly known for their rounded tops and rows of legs, often with incised decoration across the seat. Here a ring of tapered legs, some darker, some reddish, supports a thick oval top. The surface is engraved with a pale starburst and a ribbed border, and the wood has darkened with age and handling. The mix of tones among the legs gives the piece an individual look.

About 17 inches tall and 22 inches across. A low table that rewards a second glance.