Ashanti Royal Stool Depicting Lion and Prey

The king sat. The lion held dinner in its jaws. Nobody needed the message spelled out.

This royal stool depicting lion and prey is Ashanti, from Ghana, 20th century, carved of wood. Among the Ashanti, stools carry deep meaning, tied to a person's spirit and to the office of a chief, and the seat itself is a central symbol of authority. Lion imagery speaks plainly of power. Here a broad curved seat rests on a block over a striding lion with a scaled mane and bright pink eyes. A small animal hangs from its mouth. Sixteen inches high and seventeen and a half long.

A polite way to mention who is in charge.