Ashanti Symbolic Stool

Stools indicated power, status, and lines of succession in traditional Ashanti culture. The flat base, curved seat, and ridged supports reference the Ashanti King Stool. This stool presents two central different symbols. The heart "Akoma" for patience and tolerance, with the eagle's talons "Okodee Mmowere" for bravery and strength. Taken together, they represented the owner as a person who wouldn't rush to judgment, but would act decisively when necessary. The defined geometries and organic curves offer variety to this sculptural object. Many art historians point to the Ashanti's mixture of shape, negative space, and symbolism as an inspiration for the abstract expressionist movements in the West.