Cameroonian Stool / Side Table

Zigzag upon zigzag, cut right through the wood.

This stool or side table comes from Cameroon, 20th century, in carved wood. In Cameroon, carved stools have long carried social weight, marking status and belonging as well as giving someone a place to sit, and their openwork patterns are a point of pride for carvers. A round, rimmed seat sits on tiers of bold, open zigzags, separated by thick rings. The profile swells gently through the middle and rests on a heavy circular foot. The whole thing is dark, close to black, with a matte surface. It is 20.75 inches high and 17.75 in diameter.

A drink set down here will be in good company.