The Bamoun, a dynamic race, conquered their way from North Africa two or three centuries ago to settle in the high plains of Cameroon. The Bamoun have many attributes, one being highly gifted artisans. Their workings are some of the most elaborate, intricate and lavishly detailed pieces in all of Africa. Only the most superior of Bamoun artists are called upon to create Royal Art; objects whose function is spiritually connected and utilized only by the members of the Royal family. The detail and symbolism attached to stools of the caliber as the one offered here automatically limits it’s usage to those of the royal court. The Bamoun exist in a socially stratified society. In art, the motifs, dimensions and symbolism used to create a piece is thusly determined upon the owners status in the village. Plain, low stools with a lack of detailing belonged to commoners. They were used in the home or brought to market. Persons with some type of social prestige were allowed larger seats with geometrical patterns with limited symbolism. Higher ups such as clan heads or diviners could use stools the equal to the size of royal ones but again the decorations allowed were limited. The stool on display, carved from a single section of darkened hardwood, features 14 well carved Gekko lizards; a motif used only by royalty. The lizards bodies are all connected which is in reference to the same royal household. In the grassland cultures of Cameroon the Gekko or fo’koekoe is regarded as a sign of peace and tranquility within the household. This stool is an excellent example of how the social values and philosophies of a culture is translated through tribal symbolism and applied to art!

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Dimensions: 15 inches tall 13 inch diameter.  

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