Coconut-grater stool c. mid 20th century

wood

3d sculpting

3d model

3d printed part

sculpture

sculptural image

unrealistic statue

3d shape

prop product design

metallic object render

3d modeling

wood

This 20th-century Swahili "coconut-grater stool" is an example of functional, yet beautifully carved, African art. The stool is made of wood and features intricate geometric patterns carved into the surface. The folding design allows it to be easily transported, while the blade attached to the bottom was used for grating coconuts. This piece reflects the rich artistic traditions of the Swahili people, and highlights the ways in which everyday objects can become objects of beauty. The Minneapolis Institute of Art houses this unique stool, making it accessible to art enthusiasts worldwide.

Comments

minneapolisinstituteofart about 1 year ago

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You’d be hard-pressed to identify this mysterious, almost dangerous-looking object—unless you’re familiar with coconut grating along the Swahili coast of East Africa. Then it’s fairly straightforward: you sit on the stool and scrape the inside of an opened coconut on the protruding metal blade. The coconut shavings are collected and later pushed through a sieve to make coconut milk. The X-shape of the stool resembles a Qur’an stand, while the geometric designs show both Arab and Indian influences on Swahili culture.