Vintage Small Traditional Wooden Ghanaian Asesedwa Stool

The traditional Ghanaian stool or Asesedwa, is a carved wooden stool common in sub-Saharan West Africa and especially common in Ghana.

An indicator of status and family, these stools play an integral role in traditional Ashanti culture. Believed to be the resting place for a person's soul, a stool is given to a child when they first learn to crawl and used in personal milestones throughout the rest of their life.

Carved from a solid block of wood, each stool has a rectangular base and a distinctive curved seat supported by a central column carved in geometric or figural forms personal to each piece.

The craftsmanship of this sacred item is absolutely beautiful and has been loving hand carved by an obviously skilled hand and can traditionally take anywhere from six months up to a year to carve.

Acquired in a local auction, we unfortunately don't know of its origins but hope that its new life is with someone who can appreciate and respect its history and the meaning behind a truly lovely item.

Measures approximately 46cm wide, 22cm deep and 31cm tall. With wear commensurate with age and use.