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Stool

A work made of wood, iron nails, and traces of pigment.

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  • A work made of wood, iron nails, and traces of pigment.

Date:

Late 19th or early 20th century

Artist:

Igbo
Awka region, Nigeria
Coastal West Africa

About this artwork

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.

Status

On View, Gallery 137

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Igbo

Title

Stool

Place

Nigeria (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1875–1910

Medium

Wood, iron nails, and traces of pigment

Dimensions

57.2 × 34.9 cm (22 1/2 × 13 3/4 in.)

Credit Line

African Decorative Arts Fund

Reference Number

2013.68

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

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