Early Ghanaian Asante Seated Royal Figure on Dwa Stool

$1,495.00

In stock

West Africa, Ghana, Ashanti (Asante) culture, ca. 1891 to 1910 CE. A rare carved hardwood royal or high-ranking figure depicted seated on a prestige stool known as a dwa, presented in a dignified posture. The figure is rendered with a prominent head and an impassive, almost stern expression, with the body wrapped in a draped cloth. The subject sits with hands resting on the knees, a classic motif conveying calm authority and restraint. Dwa stools were not merely functional furniture, but powerful emblems of status, identity, and lineage, often cherished as heirlooms and passed down through generations. The supports and bases of such stools could be shaped to convey specific proverbs or symbols of power. Sculptures of this type are often linked to ancestral veneration and courtly symbolism, serving as shrine imagery or prestige objects within Asante royal and ritual contexts. Size: 4″ L x 4.5″ W x 9.5″ H (10.2 cm x 11.4 cm x 24.1 cm)

Condition: Losses to the base, and the figure tilts forward -requires support to sit upright. Missing the base of the stool and supports under the knees. Losses to the corners of the seat. Old abrasions, and scratches to the face and arms. Wonderful old patina from handling.

Provenance: private Thornton, Colorado, USA collection; ex-Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA

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