Maker: Spode  Pattern: Tower

An extraordinary piece, for which Spode registered the design 11th July 1894 and it was generally decorated with Tower pattern. Surviving examples are rare today and one imagines that not that many were made originally.
The Ashantee (sometimes Ashanti or Asante) people inhabit a region in Ghana, where stools are important symbols of status, power and authority. They are carved from a single block of wood, with crescent-shaped seats, flat bases and complex support structures. They are used for sitting and ceremonial use, rather than for resting feet. Spode's stool retains the crescent shaped seat, but this is supported by two substantial crescent shaped "legs".
Backstamps: blue printed Copeland Spode's Tower England in blue oval, Rd No 235780 and Specially Manufactured for The Streit Antique Trading Co, New York. Impressed COPELAND and date code for August 1894.
The glaze is finely crazed and there are a few signs of wear and minor rubs etc to the rim of the seat, plus one small chip at one end. Minor stress cracks or lines, where the legs are attached to the seat, one of which may be a short hairline. All really minor as overall this is in great condition and certainly a conversation piece.

Dimensions: 33.5 cm x 23 cm & 15 cm high / 13.25 ins x 9 ins & 6 ins high