Stool
Udo Petry, Hohnhorst, Germany
Description
wood, beautiful and well preserved polychrome paint, metal tags, three male and three female caryatid figures, ring-like arranged around a seated dignitary in the centre, completed by two kneeling female figures on the front side, additional inserted narrow struts enhancing the filigree and light effect of the object, the rims of base and seat decorated with fine grooved ornaments, which can be found on the vaulted seat as well, especially striking: the phantastic headdresses the figures wear, rep. (crack in the seat fixed with metal clamps, both kneeling figures attached by nails, hand of a female figure), missing parts (lower arm of one of the figures, the objects the seated figure once held in his hands), crack (base);
probably coming from the workshop of Otooro Odushinas aus Ketu.
Judging by the snake figure on one of the headdresses this stool was used in the worship of “oshumare”, the cosmic serpent that brings prosperity and good luck.