Stool
Igbo
1875–1910
- Medium
- Wood, iron nails, and traces of pigment
- Dimensions
- 57.2 × 36.2 × 35 cm (22 1/2 × 14 1/4 × 13 3/4 in.)
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
iron (metal)painting (coating)authoritystatussculpturewood (plant material)african Artarts of AfricaCoastal West AfricacarvingigboRankpigmentstool (seating furniture)hammeringHierarchy
About
The Igbo people are known for their elaborate system of ranked titles for both men and women. Climbing within this hierarchy requires considerable investment of resources, social capital, and time. Titles come with responsibilities and restrictions but also with privileges that include the right to regalia and status objects such as this stool. Comprising two levels of interlocking supports carved from a single block of wood, this stool was acquired by an Irish missionary in Nigeria before 1911.
