A Chief’s Stool

This enigmatic stool has a universality to its design and appearance. Its simplicity and refinement has an almost Asian feel to it but it comes from Liberia. It is constructed of split bamboo slats that are held together with wooden pegs and nails; no metal is used in the construction. The top is made from interlaced bamboo strips with a pegged split-bamboo border.

There is a sticker on the bottom that reads, “Liberia Africa” and a tag with text on two sides. One side reads; “19, Chief’s stool, split bamboo, cost 48c”. The reverse is largely indecipherable but “Bassa people” can be read.