Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 17

Ethiopian-Style Stool with Scrolled Legs, Norway, First Half of the 20th Century

About the Item

E?thiopian and other African-influenced furniture had been made in Europe 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 pair of hand carved Ethiopian-style stools could have inspired Loos’s design. This original design also took a piece of English furniture as its inspiration, although Liberty's three-legged stool was itself based on an ancient Egyptian stool seen by Leonard Wyburd in the British Museum. Loos' version differed from this by virtue of its tighter proportions. Josef Frank developed yet another more elongated form around 1929. The body of these tripod stools are carved from a single tree trunk, which was a common technique in Africa during the 19th and early 20th century. The low seats have a deepening, uneven, organic seating surface and show the natural qualities of the wood. 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, scrolling legs that support the seat. This shape is traditional for tribal stools from Ethiopia, especially for the ones created by the Jimma and Oromo people in the forest area of Western and Southern Ethiopia respectively. Traditionally, these stools were made of hardwood - similarly to Scandinavian pieces - and served a mostly functional purpose, such as for the tribe’s elderly who carried them around. This pair was most likely created in Norway inspired by the original African pieces. These stools have a beautiful folk look to them with visible, raw craftsmanship and history. Using African and Asian tribal-inspired stools have become popular accent pieces in contemporary homes. This is because - like this pair - these pieces are all completely unique and carry a charm that is impossible to mass produce. Condition: In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some cracks in the wood. Dimensions: 12 in W x 11.41 in D x 13.77 in H 30.5 cm W x 29 cm D x 35 cm H Second stool 13.77 in W x 12.2 in D x 14.56 in H 35 cm W x 31 cm D x 37 cm H Shipping: These stools will be packaged and shipped with the greatest care and attention to make sure you will receive the items in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 14.57 in (37 cm)Width: 13.78 in (35 cm)Depth: 12.21 in (31 cm)
  • Sold As:
    Set of 2
  • Style:
    Brutalist (Of the Period)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    First Half of the 20th Century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. Some cracks in the wood.
  • Seller Location:
    Utrecht, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: 202212061stDibs: LU2947330881702

More From This Seller

View All
Pair of Stools in the manner of Charles Dudouyt, France 20th Century
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Utrecht, NL
Featuring French designer, Charles Dudouyt’s signature style, these stools meld seamlessly with any style thanks to their elegant sense of lavishness. As a major figure in early 20th...
Category

20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Rush, Oak

Woven Rattan Stool, Europe Early 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
In the professional field of interior design, certain pieces and types of furniture hold a timeless allure, effortlessly weaving together functionality, aesthetic appeal, and a rich history. Among these treasures is the simple, way too often overlooked, but extremely versatile stool, This lovely piece from the early 20th century is entirely Crafted from the organic material rattan, and embodies a harmonious blend of natural beauty, craftsmanship, and functional elegance, making it a perfect accent piece for both modern and classic interior settings. Rattan, derived from the climbing palms native to tropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australasia, boasts a unique combination of flexibility, durability, and lightweight properties. As such, its pliable nature allows skilled artisans to deftly manipulate and weave it into intricate patterns, resulting in furniture pieces like this stool that exude both sophistication and an artisan, rustic charm. Similarly to traditional wooden furniture, rattan possesses a warmth and tactile quality that invites touch and appreciation of its natural texture. The resurgence of stools in contemporary interior design can be attributed to several factors; Firstly, their compact size and versatility make them ideal for maximizing space in smaller living areas or apartments. Stools can easily be tucked away when not in use, serving as convenient additional seating when guests arrive or as a practical surface for holding books, plants, or decorative items. Moreover, their understated elegance, individuality, and timeless appeal complement a wide range of interior styles, from minimalist and Scandinavian to Bohemian and eclectic. At the heart of this rattan stool's charm lies its exquisite weaving patterns and impeccable quality. Each strand of rattan is skilfully interlaced to form intricate circular motifs and geometric designs, showcasing the craftsmanship and attention to detail of its maker. The weaving technique employed in crafting this stool results in a sturdy yet lightweight structure, capable of withstanding the test of time while retaining its graceful silhouette. The stool's slightly splayed, bent legs add a touch of visual interest and stability, while the metal caps on its feet provide both protection and a subtle hint of industrial flair. This thoughtful combination of materials and design elements enhances the stool's durability and aesthetic appeal, ensuring that it remains a cherished heirloom for generations to come. Versatile in its functionality, the rattan stool can serve as a humble pallet for showcasing curated collections or as an elegant flower pedestal, bringing a touch of natural beauty indoors. Its timeless allure and understated sophistication make it a beloved accent piece in modern interiors, where it serves as a testament to the enduring appeal of organic materials and masterful craftsmanship. In conclusion, the intricately woven rattan stool...
Category

Early 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Rattan

Oak and Rush Stool in the manner of Charles Dudouyt, France Early 20th Century
By Charles Dudouyt
Located in Utrecht, NL
Featuring French designer Charles Dudouyt’s signature style, this stool melds seamlessly with a variety of trends thanks to its elegant sense of lavishness. As a major figure in earl...
Category

Early 20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Rush, Oak

Cabinetmaker Armchairs with Wood Feet, Europe first half of the 20th century
Located in Utrecht, NL
This elegant pair of winged back chairs is a great representation of the quality and craftsmanship of European master cabinetmakers of the 20th century and the immediately recognizab...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

Sculptural Ladder-Back Chairs, Europe first half of the 20th century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Over the 20th century, European designers fused traditional crafting techniques and styles with modern materials, design, and industry. The ladder-back chair was one of the most popular chairs of its time. Today, classic ladder-back chairs and their more modern reiterations are desirable, collectible pieces thanks to their distinctive look, quality, and history. Since Gio Ponti’s “Fireside” chair...
Category

20th Century European Modern Dining Room Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Art Deco Chair with Upholstered Seat, Europe First half of the 20th Century
Located in Utrecht, NL
Characterised by bold shapes, rich materials, and luxurious aesthetics, Art Deco transformed the way we perceive interior spaces. The era praised the fusion of form and function, an ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Art Deco Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

You May Also Like

Early 20th Century Ethiopian 3-Legged Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderfully sculptural early 20th century Ethiopian stool from the Gurage Peoples, carved of one piece of wood with the most wonderful texture, and with three curved legs supportin...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Stools

Materials

Wood

Tribal Stool with Brass Details, Southern Ethiopia, Early 20th Century
Located in Stockholm, SE
Three legged tribal stool from Southern Ethiopia. Light reddish wood the legs are partly covered with brass. Early 1900s / first half of 20th century. Provenance: P. Strand Carl ...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Stools

Materials

Brass

African style Stool, 20th century
Located in New York, NY
Modern African stool in traditional style. The stool is carved from wood and whitewashed. The stool has a bowl-shaped seat with an openwork base in a checkerboard pattern.
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Stools

Materials

Wood

Pair of French Early 20th Century Upholstered Stools with Giltwood Legs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of French upholstered and gilded stools from the early 20th century. This elegant pair of French Louis XVI style stools from circa 1920 features a new muslin upholstery applied on the rectangular seat. The body of the stools is made of gilded wood. The legs are typical of the Louis XVI decorative vocabulary: rosettes on the knees over thin fluted legs at the top with reeding in their lower part. This pair of French giltwood stools...
Category

20th Century French Louis XVI Stools

Materials

Muslin, Upholstery, Giltwood

Stools Rattan Wicker With Turned Legs Austria Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Pair stools, possibly by Fichel, Thonet or similar. They are rare examples, not easily classified They are from the beginning of the 20th century and their structure is very solid. T...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Mid-Century Modern Stools

Materials

Walnut, Bentwood

Small Stool Empire-Style from the 20th Century, Portugal
Located in Lisboa, PT
The Empire style emerged in France during the early XIX century under the leadership of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte. It is characterized by its prominent straight lines and geometric ...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Empire Stools

Materials

Wood

Recently Viewed

View All