Stool
Cameroon Grassfields, Babanki
not available anymore
Provenance
Helmut Zake, Heidelberg, GermanyRudolf Sühnel, Heidelberg, Germany
Size
H: 64 cm
D: 63 cm
H: 25.2 inch
D: 24.8 inch
Description
wood, brown patina, pokerwork, ring-shaped base, carved with three leopards and three standing figures arranged in a circle, rep. (breakage at the seat), cracks, traces of abrasion;
in the Cameroon Grassfields stools are an important part of a chiefs regalia. The leopard embodies certain attributes like speediness, survivability and aggressiveness which were transferred on the king. This is why the animal became the most important royal symbol, like an “alter ego” of the king.