Vintage Hand Carved African Ashanti Elephant Stool 1809g

A striking hand-carved Ashanti stool from Ghana, West Africa, dating to approximately the 1920s–40s. Carved from a single piece of tropical hardwood in the form of an elephant, it’s a beautifully sculptural piece with a rich sense of history and wonderful decorative presence. Ashanti, or Asante, stools are traditionally carved from a single block of wood and are instantly recognisable by their distinctive curved seats. Within Asante culture, stools hold particular significance and can be associated with identity, status and authority. The elephant itself is a powerful symbol traditionally associated with leadership and strength, making this an especially impressive example. The carving has a lovely sense of movement and character, from the sweeping crescent-shaped seat to the elephant’s sculpted body, trunk and tusks. Its warm, richly patinated surface has developed through decades of age and use, giving the piece an individuality that simply cannot be recreated. Carefully restored and presented in excellent antique condition, with plenty of polished-in marks, knocks and variations to the surface that form part of its history and character. One of the tusks has an old repair, which can be seen in the photographs. Please take a close look through all images, as these form an important part of the description. A fabulous piece of 20th-century African craftsmanship — equally beautiful displayed as a sculptural object or used as an occasional stool, bringing texture, history and character to an interior. Dimensions: Width: 59cm Height: 51cm / 56cm Depth: 26cm