Southeast Tanzania
Makonde

African Blackwood 
Early 20th century
Height: 43 in
Other – Ritual Symbolism

The seat is the most important piece of furniture in Africa. It serves as a social insignia as every person is entitled to a seat that corresponds to their social ranking.   The height of this seat is 43 inches.  The Makonde are traditionally a matrilineal society where children and inheritances belong to women, and husbands move into the village of their wives. 

This is an authentic Makonde Dignitary Chair with signs of age and usage.  It consists of a carved ebony wood throne chair with rich brown patina, female head with delicately detailed coiffure and facial features. The front side of the throne back is simple with a pair of breasts.  The rounded unadorned seat is supported by three-pieced openwork legs with diamond patterns. The back side of the throne back features an intricate elongated tower design that may be modelled on the human body.