More on the stool

Construction:

-all are hand carved 

-depends on the material to determine how they are made

-many made of wood and are carved from slabs of wood-- used things from nature (i.e sharpened stick)

   -divided into 3+ pieces and bolted together

   - some were even carved out of a single piece of wood

   -sometimes stain wood or paint it 

-If made out of clay, they use the slab technique 

    -divided into individual pieces 

    -hand carve designs and patterns

    -glazed or even covered in other materials 

         -ex: hammered copper

    - usually glazed one single, neutral color

function:

- has no practical function

   -no one has ever sat on it nor is allowed to

    -strictly religious icon and symbol, for ritualistic use only

-designed with arched seat to resemble a real, useable stool and a rectangular base for stability

-beam/structure in the center between the two varies according to the artist, but it usually the more creative, elaborate part of the piece, covered with patterns and cultural symbols