Ethiopian-Style Stool with Scrolled legs, Norway first half of the 20th century

E?thiopian and other African-influenced furniture had been made in Europe from the 1850s, the most famous being Adolf Loos’s “Theban stool” designed around 1903 in the Egyptian revival style. Based on its visual qualities, this pair of hand carved Ethiopian-style stools could have inspired Loos’s design.

This original design also took a piece of English furniture as its inspiration, although Liberty's three-legged stool was itself based on an ancient Egyptian stool seen by Leonard Wyburd in the British Museum. Loos' version differed from this by virtue of its tighter proportions. Josef Frank developed yet another more elongated form around 1929. The body of these tripod stools are carved from a single tree trunk, which was a common technique in Africa during the 19th and early 20th century. The low seats have a deepening, uneven, organic seating surface and show the natural qualities of the wood. This creates a stunning, elemental aesthetic that praises both the material’s natural beauty and the craftsman’s work. Still, the eyes are immediately drawn to the curled, scrolling legs that support the seat. This shape is traditional for tribal stools from Ethiopia, especially for the ones created by the Jimma and Oromo people in the forest area of Western and Southern Ethiopia respectively. Traditionally, these stools were made of hardwood - similarly to Scandinavian pieces - and served a mostly functional purpose, such as for the tribe’s elderly who carried them around. This pair was most likely created in Norway inspired by the original African pieces.

These stools have a beautiful folk look to them with visible, raw craftsmanship and history. Using African and Asian tribal-inspired stools have become popular accent pieces in contemporary homes. This is because - like this pair - these pieces are all completely unique and carry a charm that is impossible to mass produce.

Condition:
In good vintage condition. Wear consistent with age and use. Some cracks in the wood.

Dimensions:
12 in W x 11.41 in D x 13.77 in H
30.5 cm W x 29 cm D x 35 cm H

Second stool
13.77 in W x 12.2 in D x 14.56 in H
35 cm W x 31 cm D x 37 cm H

Shipping:
These stools will be packaged and shipped with the greatest care and attention to make sure you will receive the item in gallery condition. Complimentary shipping within the Netherlands.

IMPORTANT!
VAT normally applies and will be added to items when purchased by a European buyer or transported to a location within the EU.