Cameroonian Wood Stool

Spokes of a wheel, turned on its side to hold you up.

This wooden stool was carved in Cameroon, Central Africa, in the 20th century. Stools of this type are commonly associated with seating and with status in the Grassfields area. A circular seat with an incised border sits above a hub with eight radiating struts, like the spokes of a wheel, and a ringed base with carved zigzag decoration. The wood is a deep, dark brown with a soft sheen, and the carving is crisp.

About 12 inches high and 10 inches across. Looks much bigger than it measures.