Bamileke style beaded zoomorphic bench

This is a hand-carved wooden bench featuring a distinctive zoomorphic design, likely influenced by West African Bamileke or Grassfields artistic traditions. The piece is constructed from a solid foundation of wood, completely and intricately covered in a vibrantly colored beadwork patterns. The bench displays a symmetrical composition with two upward-facing animal heads at either end, resembling stylized leopards, hyenas, or similar totemic creatures with bared teeth. The primary color is a saturated blue, overlaid with a pattern of white and black beaded clusters that create a 'spotted' or leopard-print effect. The bench is supported by four cylindrical legs, also fully beaded, terminating in dark, seemingly unbeaded feet. Physically, the bench appears to be of mid-to-large scale, suitable for ornamental use. The craftsmanship is highly detailed, with beads applied in a tight mesh or woven pattern over the wooden core. Condition-wise, the item shows some signs of age and handled wear; there are visible areas of surface dust and slight fading in the pigment of the beads, particularly along the seat, but it appears structurally sound. This style of furniture is often associated with prestige and tribal royalty, though this specific example displays characteristics of 20th-century decorative export craft.