Mbere, Kiragwa clan, “Old Man’s Stool” (gata ka mueiri), Kenya
9in wide by 7in tall (22.9cm by 17.8cm)
wood, metal
US collection
A really wonderful small old stool which I believe was collected in-situ, but I don’t know the original collection date. A stool like this would normally be attributed to the Kamba which were a larger ethnic group in this area of Kenya, but with the precise cataloging information I kept with the original information. Stools like this were used by elders and the designs on the top are always different and personalized with etchings in the wood, added metal as in the case of this one, and sometimes inlayed metal designs. Originally there would have been a metal chain between two holes in the legs to aid in carrying. The holes are lined with metal so the chain doesn’t wear away at the wood, but in this case the chain is no longer present.
$500 plus shipping
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