Asante peoples, Ghana
Late 19th to early 20th century
Wood, copper alloy, iron, leather, fur, paint
2000-19-1, gift of Tom and Rita Bakos

Relative size

Asante peoples, Ghana
18th to late 19th century
Copper alloy
75-22-147, gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Bevill, Mr. and Mrs. Alan Bresler and Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert Schulman





Asante royalty or chiefs own chairs, which are used on special occasions. They do not have to be comfortable or practical. The number of chairs and how they are decorated shows the owner's importance. This type of chair, known as an asipim, means "I stand firm" because it is sturdy and stable like a ruler.

When the chair supports a woman with a child it is not just any mother and baby but someone responsible for the health and well-being of the kingdom. This figure probably came from a shrine and represented a queen mother, an important member of the court who helps select and advise the king.

An even smaller version of the chair in metal was used as a weight for measuring gold dust in business trades.

Relative size