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African 'Oromo' Stool, Early 20th Century

About the Item

Ethiopian and other African-influenced furniture had been made from the 1850s, the most famous being Adolf Loos's "Theban stool" designed around 1903 in the Egyptian revival style. Based on its visual qualities, this Ethiopian stool could have inspired Loos's design. The body of this tripod stool is carved from a single tree trunk, which was a common technique in Africa during the 19th and early 20th century. The low seat has a deep concave seating surface and shows each movement the wood carver made with the chisel. This creates a stunning, elemental aesthetic that praises both the material's natural beauty and the craftsman's work. Still, the eyes are immediately drawn to the curled legs that support the seat. This shape is traditional for tribal stools from Ethiopia, especially for the ones created by the Oromo people in the forest area of Southern Ethiopia. Traditionally, these stools are made of African hardwood and served a mostly functional purpose, such as for the tribe's elderly who carried them around. This stool has a beautiful folk look to it with visible, raw craftsmanship and history. Using African stools as magazine stands, catch alls, or small side tables have become popular accent pieces in contemporary homes.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm)Diameter: 17 in (43.18 cm)
  • Style:
    Tribal (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Wood,Hand-Carved
  • Place of Origin:
    Ethiopia
  • Period:
    Mid-20th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    Early to mid 20th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. The stool is as found and is in normal condition for these types of stools. The patina is beautiful and rich with a worn and polished surface. There is an old tribal done repair which is normal for pieces of this age.
  • Seller Location:
    Kilmarnock, VA
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU883033826512
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