Antique Ghanian Ashanti Style Stool with Leopard Carved, Africa

Carved Antique African Leopard Ashanti Style Stool. Early 20th Century Ghanaian Ashanti style leopard stool. Animal leopard stool hand-carved wood from Ghana. This is the "OSEBO GWA" ( The Leopard stool ). Stools indicated power, status, and lines of succession in traditional Ashanti culture. The platform base, curved seat, and ridged supports reference this as an Ashanti King stool. In Ashanti culture, leopards were symbols of fierce power. King stool form supported by a leopard mark this as a leader's stool. Animal representations were frequently gestural, relying on basic shapes and a sense of movement to evoke the spirit of the intended animal Used during ceremony by the important royal Akan family. The leopard is a symbol of strength, stealth, and expert hunter. This has distinct signs of extensive use on the underside of the curved sides where it was frequently gripped. The leopard in Akan society is associated with the king or chief because this powerful predator can see in the dark, it can travel easily and stealthily from the upper world of trees to the middle world of earth, and it can swim in the underworld of water. This is a wonderful Cubist sculpture of the animal, giving the leopard a friendly, noble bearing, the thick legs and strong neck convey a sense of strength and stability, virtues associated with the royal person who may have owned this. Hand-carved from a single piece of wood. This unique stool features a carved base to support the curved rectangular seat. This stool were used by Chiefs indicated status, power and succession of chiefs. These stool traditionally have crescent-shaped seats with designs that have symbolic or tribal meaning. Condition, Antique condition, restored cleaned and oiled, signs of age and use. Wood is cracked over the animal carving, there is a piece of wood missing on the stand see pictures, or ask questions. Dimensions: 14.5" high x 22" long x 10.5" wide Seat height is 14.5". Origin: Ghana Africa Circa: 1950's Product details Dimensions: Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm); Width: 22 in (55.88 cm); Depth: 10.5 in (26.67 cm); Seat Height: 14.5 in (36.83 cm) Style: Folk Art (In the Style Of) Materials and Techniques: Wood; Hand-Carved; Hand-Crafted Place of Origin: Ghana Period: Mid-20th Century Date of Manufacture: 1950 Condition: Fair; Refinished. Wear consistent with age and use. Minor structural damages. Some wear, cracks, damages due to age and usage please see photos or ask questions. Condition classification: Used