Stool
20th century
Object PlaceBurkina Faso
Medium/Techniquewood
DimensionsOverall: 19.5 x 13.3 x 44 cm (7 11/16 x 5 1/4 x 17 5/16 in.)
Credit LineGift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession number2009.2630
On View
Not on viewClassificationsFurniture
Collections
The Lobi are a largely decentralized group spread throughout Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Côte D'Ivoire. Much like many other groups throughout Africa, the Lobi produced stools for both everyday use and as prestige items. Although this stool may appear to be of simple design, the practice of woodcarving is dangerous and requires the protection from spirits that may be angered by cutting a tree.
Provenance1972, sold by Nicaud (probably Maurice and Jacqueline Nicaud of the Galerie Burgui), Paris, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)
20th century