Zande stool
Other views of this artifact:
Accession Number:
1970.38.12
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan] Western Equatoria near Yambio
Cultural Group:
Zande
Date Made:
By 1930
Materials:
Wood Plant , Pigment
Process:
Carved , Decorated , Incised , Grooved , Stained , Polished
Dimensions:
Ht = 343; seat L = 430, W = 400, th = 37; pedestal fenestrations L = 108, W = 81; foot base L = 400, W = 390, th = 28; star-shaped depression on base L = 187, W = 160 mm [RTS 20/6/2005].
Weight:
> 1000 g
Local Name:
mbata?
Other Owners:
Probably collected by Evans-Pritchard himself during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930 [CM; RTS 6/7/2004].
Field Collector:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
PRM Source:
Edward Evan Evans-Pritchard
Acquired:
Purchased 1970, by grant aid from the MCG/ V&A purchase grant fund.
Collected Date:
1927 - 1930
Description:
Stool carved from a single block of wood and consisting of a flat, slightly oval seat with thick upright sides and an underside that slopes gradually down to a cylindrical pedestal foot.
This has a bulbous central section offset from the rest of the foot, the sides of which have been horizontally shaved to create 5 narrow flat planes running around its circumference.
A rectangular opening has been cut through the width of the pedestal.
This sits on a splaying trumpet-shaped base with a narrow bevelled edge that slopes down and in, and a flat underside that has a shallow star-shape cut out from the centre.
This hollow may add to the stability of the form.
The wood is a natural yellow colour (Pantone 7509C) that has been stained black (Pantone black 6C) and polished to a high gloss, everywhere except on the underside of the foot.
The stool has been decorated with a shallow geometric design and deeper grooves, that cover areas of the seat, pedestal and foot.
The outside edge and sides of the seat have been divided into rectangular sections by a series of straight grooves, that run across the top surface then down the side.
The spaces between were then filled with a range of patterns, including blocks of incised crosshatching, arranged either singly or as adjacent pairs, interspersed with blocks divided along their length by one or two deep grooves, with the remaining space filled with oblique hatching, arranged in opposing directions.
Two of these hatched blocks are further subdivided by additional vertical grooves.
The arrangement is almost symmetrical, but the pattern varies on one side.
A deep groove runs around the inside edge of this decoration on the upper part of the seat, and the interior of the seat has been left as a flat, undecorated area.
The next part of the stool to be decorated is the central part of the pedestal.
This has been carved with groups of v-shaped grooves on either side of the pedestal, each arranged as sets of 3 grooves running down to the central point, where they almost touch a second set of similar grooves that cover the lower part.
These are flanked on either side by a pair of longer vertical grooves.
The surface between all this grooving has been covered with a more shallowly incised oblique hatching, that runs as horizontal blocks following the shaved faceting of this part of the object.
The hatching frequently changes direction, creating a herringbone or zigzag effect down the sides of the pedestal.
There is also some variation at the tops of the pairs of vertical grooves, where triangles of horizontal hatching have been included in the design.
Finally, the splaying foot has been decorated with 4 groups of deeply cut v-shaped grooves.
These are arranged equidistantly around the foot, with 5 grooves in each set, so that one pair lines up with the rectangular fenestrations, and the second pair with some of the body grooving.
The top edge of the foot has been covered with shallow notching around the circumference, and the bevelled side has 4 sets of from 6 to 9 vertical lines cut into the surface.
The stool is complete, but has some damage around the edges, where the stain has partially worn away, and some insect damage.
It has a height of 343 mm; the seat is 430 mm long, 400 mm wide and 37 mm thick; the pedestal fenestrations are 81 mm wide and 108 mm high; the foot base has a diameter of 400 by 390 mm and is 28 mm thick, while the recessed area at its centre is 187 mm long and 160 mm wide.
Probably collected by Evans-Pritchard himself during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930.
Evans-Pritchard photographed a similar type of stool being manufactured by the Zande woodworker Kisanga - see the photographic archives for accession numbers 1998.341.22, 1998.341.79, 1998.341.316 and 1998.341.319 where a nearly completed stool is being stained by applying a liquid to it from a clay pot boiling on a fire, showing that, unlike some of the wooden bowls, stools were stained by the craftsman, not the subsequent owner. Other images show Kisanga using an adze to carve out the wood (e.g.: 1998.341.27, although in this case the stool has a square top - either because it is unfinished, or because it is a slightly different form). This type of stool also appears in images 1998.341.152, 1998.341.185 and 1998.341.502, and being sat on by men in 1998.341.206 and 1998.341.211.
Larken describes these stools as follows: "Solid wood… is employed in the manufacture of the stools, mbata , which are made after the fashion of this dish [a circular dish on a pedestal stem, sometimes pierced, with round base]; the seat is slightly hollowed so that there is a flat raised rim at the circumference, and is usually pierced so that it may be hung up by a cord out of the way of white ants. Such stools are about a foot in height, or rather more, the diameter being the same, though bigger ones are not uncommon … sections of logs … must be used for the standing dishes, stools and mortars." (P.M. Larken, 1927, "Impressions of the Azande", Sudan Notes and Records X, p. 132).
This style of object seems to be produced also by the Mangbetu, called nobarra, and carved by male craftsmen. These stools were used by Mangbetu women (in contrast to what appears to be Zande practice, where men seem to use them), who sometimes passed a carrying strap around the top of the pedestal and through the hand grip, with the strap either going across the forehead so the stool could hang down their back, or over one shoulder (see E. Schildkrout & C.A. Keim, 1990, African Reflections , pp 119-121, fig. 6.25, and photos showing these stools in use, figure 7.3 and 7.5).
Rachael Sparks 23/08/2005.
Probably collected by Evans-Pritchard himself during his fieldwork amongst the Zande, which took place during 1927, part of 1928 and 1929 and for several months during 1930.
Evans-Pritchard photographed a similar type of stool being manufactured by the Zande woodworker Kisanga - see the photographic archives for accession numbers 1998.341.22, 1998.341.79, 1998.341.316 and 1998.341.319 where a nearly completed stool is being stained by applying a liquid to it from a clay pot boiling on a fire, showing that, unlike some of the wooden bowls, stools were stained by the craftsman, not the subsequent owner. Other images show Kisanga using an adze to carve out the wood (e.g.: 1998.341.27, although in this case the stool has a square top - either because it is unfinished, or because it is a slightly different form). This type of stool also appears in images 1998.341.152, 1998.341.185 and 1998.341.502, and being sat on by men in 1998.341.206 and 1998.341.211.
Larken describes these stools as follows: "Solid wood… is employed in the manufacture of the stools, mbata , which are made after the fashion of this dish [a circular dish on a pedestal stem, sometimes pierced, with round base]; the seat is slightly hollowed so that there is a flat raised rim at the circumference, and is usually pierced so that it may be hung up by a cord out of the way of white ants. Such stools are about a foot in height, or rather more, the diameter being the same, though bigger ones are not uncommon … sections of logs … must be used for the standing dishes, stools and mortars." (P.M. Larken, 1927, "Impressions of the Azande", Sudan Notes and Records X, p. 132).
This style of object seems to be produced also by the Mangbetu, called nobarra, and carved by male craftsmen. These stools were used by Mangbetu women (in contrast to what appears to be Zande practice, where men seem to use them), who sometimes passed a carrying strap around the top of the pedestal and through the hand grip, with the strap either going across the forehead so the stool could hang down their back, or over one shoulder (see E. Schildkrout & C.A. Keim, 1990, African Reflections , pp 119-121, fig. 6.25, and photos showing these stools in use, figure 7.3 and 7.5).
Rachael Sparks 23/08/2005.
Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry
- P[urchased].
Professor E.E.
Evans-Pritchard.
...
Headington, Oxford.
Collection of carved wooden objects obtained by him in the 1920’s.
- SUDAN, near YAMBI VILLAGE, AZANDE.
Wooden stool, similar in form to 1970.38.10 but much more elaborately decorated.
Top and edge of rim, and all the centre portion, covered with incised patterns of lines, in various combinations, chevrons, trellis-work etc.
Centre portion in two halves, with wide gap between.
On base, 4 groups each of 5 deep incisions running from rim to centre.
No handhold.
Ht.
34.5 cm.
Diam of seat 42.5 x 40.5 cm, of base 41.5 x 39.9 cm.
B.M.B.
Additional Accession Book Entry [page opposite 289] - Documents relating to purchase of collection in RDF. See file 001.10. Prof. Evans-Pritchard writes that these objects are carved by specialists and were in use by the people from whom they were acquired. Green timber is used and the work is most likely to be carried out in the dry season. Several species of timber are used. The black staining and polishing is done by the owners themselves. - 1970.38.1 - 12 Purchased by grant aid from the MCG/ V+A purchase grant fund. [p. 293, red biro] - 70.11.15.
Card Catalogue Entry - The catalogue card repeats the accession book entry, but adds 'similar in form to 1970.38.10 and 11' and 'coll. by Prof. E.E. Evans Pritchard in the 1920's. Purch. from him' [RTS 10/2/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - 1970.38.12. SUDAN, Near YAMBI VILLAGE. AZANDE stool. Coll. by Prof. E.E. Evans-Pritchard in the 1920's. Purch. from him [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 20/6/2005].
Written on object - SUDAN, AZANDE, Evans-Pritchard coll. 1970.38.12 [RTS 20/6/2005]
Related Documents File - 1970.38.1-12: letter dated 2 June 1970, from Evans-Pritchard to Bernard Fagg, Curator of the PRM, offering several Zande and Mangbetu specimens for sale; this is annotated with a reply, which was typed up as a letter sent on the 4th June 1970, arranging for them to be brought to the PRM for appraisal. Letter from Fagg to 'Billy' in Barnes, dated 24th July 1970, enclosing photographs of the objects and requesting an assessment of their value. Another letter from Fagg to Evans-Pritchard, dated 27th July 1970, with notes about the objects made after an earlier telephone conversation between the two, and requesting more information about them. The Zande material is described only as ' Azande the balance [e.g. the remaining items] - stools, food bowls, etc.'. There is also an annotated copy of this letter which has been corrected and updated, resumably after a reply was received. This states that the Zande material came from near Yambio Village, in the Sudan; that it was acquired in the 1920's, the items had been used by the people from whom they were acquired, that several types of timber were used, that the timber was carved when green, most likely during the dry season, that the carvers were specialists, and that the objects had been polished and stained by the owners themselves, not after purchase.
An application was made to the purchase grant fund, written on 11th September 1970, and sent the following day, concerning the purchase of these items. This provided an itemised list, in which this object appears as 'Azande Stool. Height: 34 1/2 cm. Diameter of seat: 42 1/2 cm'. A letter dated the 16th September, from Schuyler Jones (Assistant Curator of PRM) to Mr Dawes of the V&A added two further object descriptions which had been ommitted from the application by mistake. Fagg also wrote a letter to Hugh Wakefield, of the V&A Museum, dated 27th August 1970 requesting a grant in support of the purchase of these items; the reply, dated 30th September 1970, agrees to pay half the sum required; there is finally a direction dated 6th October 1970 for Barclays Bank to Pay Evans-Pritchard £120. The file also contains a copy of several black and white prints of the objects acquired [RTS 6/1/2004].
Additional Accession Book Entry [page opposite 289] - Documents relating to purchase of collection in RDF. See file 001.10. Prof. Evans-Pritchard writes that these objects are carved by specialists and were in use by the people from whom they were acquired. Green timber is used and the work is most likely to be carried out in the dry season. Several species of timber are used. The black staining and polishing is done by the owners themselves. - 1970.38.1 - 12 Purchased by grant aid from the MCG/ V+A purchase grant fund. [p. 293, red biro] - 70.11.15.
Card Catalogue Entry - The catalogue card repeats the accession book entry, but adds 'similar in form to 1970.38.10 and 11' and 'coll. by Prof. E.E. Evans Pritchard in the 1920's. Purch. from him' [RTS 10/2/2004].
Pitt Rivers Museum label - 1970.38.12. SUDAN, Near YAMBI VILLAGE. AZANDE stool. Coll. by Prof. E.E. Evans-Pritchard in the 1920's. Purch. from him [plastic label with metal eyelet, tied to object; RTS 20/6/2005].
Written on object - SUDAN, AZANDE, Evans-Pritchard coll. 1970.38.12 [RTS 20/6/2005]
Related Documents File - 1970.38.1-12: letter dated 2 June 1970, from Evans-Pritchard to Bernard Fagg, Curator of the PRM, offering several Zande and Mangbetu specimens for sale; this is annotated with a reply, which was typed up as a letter sent on the 4th June 1970, arranging for them to be brought to the PRM for appraisal. Letter from Fagg to 'Billy' in Barnes, dated 24th July 1970, enclosing photographs of the objects and requesting an assessment of their value. Another letter from Fagg to Evans-Pritchard, dated 27th July 1970, with notes about the objects made after an earlier telephone conversation between the two, and requesting more information about them. The Zande material is described only as ' Azande the balance [e.g. the remaining items] - stools, food bowls, etc.'. There is also an annotated copy of this letter which has been corrected and updated, resumably after a reply was received. This states that the Zande material came from near Yambio Village, in the Sudan; that it was acquired in the 1920's, the items had been used by the people from whom they were acquired, that several types of timber were used, that the timber was carved when green, most likely during the dry season, that the carvers were specialists, and that the objects had been polished and stained by the owners themselves, not after purchase.
An application was made to the purchase grant fund, written on 11th September 1970, and sent the following day, concerning the purchase of these items. This provided an itemised list, in which this object appears as 'Azande Stool. Height: 34 1/2 cm. Diameter of seat: 42 1/2 cm'. A letter dated the 16th September, from Schuyler Jones (Assistant Curator of PRM) to Mr Dawes of the V&A added two further object descriptions which had been ommitted from the application by mistake. Fagg also wrote a letter to Hugh Wakefield, of the V&A Museum, dated 27th August 1970 requesting a grant in support of the purchase of these items; the reply, dated 30th September 1970, agrees to pay half the sum required; there is finally a direction dated 6th October 1970 for Barclays Bank to Pay Evans-Pritchard £120. The file also contains a copy of several black and white prints of the objects acquired [RTS 6/1/2004].
