The upright backrest of this early and unusual high-back Ethiopian chair is adorned with an attractive cut-out cross-shaped design. This large chair, from the Jimma region of Ethiopia, is supported by three curved legs. Carved from a heavy brown wood, the surface of the chair has developed a dark, lusty patina over time.
High-back chairs such as this figure prominently in the installation of chiefs among the Gurage and related cultures in southern Ethiopia - serving as symbols of rank and entitlement during meetings by the council of elders.
Estimated Period: Late 19th Century
W: 57cm
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