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Stool
Lobi
20th century
Object Place: Burkina Faso
Medium/Technique
wood
Dimensions
Overall: 19.5 x 13.3 x 44 cm (7 11/16 x 5 1/4 x 17 5/16 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Geneviève McMillan in memory of Reba Stewart
Accession Number2009.2630
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsContemporary Art, Africa and Oceania
ClassificationsFurniture – Seating and beds
The Lobi are a largely decentralized group spread throughout Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Côte D'Ivoire. Much like many other groups throughout Africa, the Lobi produced stools for both everyday use and as prestige items. Although this stool may appear to be of simple design, the practice of woodcarving is dangerous and requires the protection from spirits that may be angered by cutting a tree.
Provenance1972, sold by Nicaud (probably Maurice and Jacqueline Nicaud of the Galerie Burgui), Paris, to Geneviève McMillan (b. 1922 - d. 2008), Cambridge, MA; 2008, to the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation, Cambridge; 2009, gift of the Geneviève McMillan and Reba Stewart Foundation to the MFA. (Accession Date: June 17, 2009)