Ashanti People, Ghana, Asipim chair

This low chair style known as an Asipim ( which means "I stand firm" in Ashanti society) features a relatively wide, flat seat with a short back and no arms. It is based on a traditional 17th century European form brought to the African subcontinent by European explorers. It is one of the European objects copied by African rulers as a symbol of power. Chiefs sit on it during public and private occasions as their subjects sit on the ground. Its origins are in Ghana and it is built from wood, brass and leather. The chair is decorated with brass tracks, caps, brass finials ;it has few losses and a superb patina with obvious age. The structure is made of wood, with the original stretched hide seat, brass copious brass studs all over and two turned finials sheathed in brass atop the back-rest rail that rises to a high curve. The present chair is in fine condition. Relatively few brass studs are missing. The joints are all firm and the chair is very stable. The hide seat is in excellent condition without tears. This is a very fine, museum-quality example.