Maasai Six-Legged Wooden Stool

This highly sculptural stool from the Masaai people of Kenya, has been carved from a single piece of wood. The seat is of round, concave form. The edge of the seat has been carved all the way around with a single groove. The stool sits on six legs, each carved with an upturned ‘toe’.

The seat has old loss associated with age and use, and a charming ‘native’ repair – iron strips have been attached to the top and underside of the seat to secure a crack. Such repairs are useful for indicating age and authenticity but also demonstrate that such stools were prestige items and thus were worthy of repair.

Bassani (1994, p. 164) illustrates a three-legged example, with a similar ‘native’ repair. Such stools more typically have three legs. It is likely that more legs signifies higher status.

Such stools were used when eating and were carried by the owner and so are light and portable.

Traditionally, the Maasai were herdsmen and their lives revolved around their Zebu cattle. The tradition Maasai diet included raw meat, raw milk, honey and raw blood from their cattle.

The stool has excellent wear and patina. There is some of chipping to the edge of the seat – this has much wear and age. The ‘native’ repair itself has wear and patina. Overall, this is a lovely example.