Dignitary's Chair (asipim)

8 December 1999, gifted by Drs. Gladys, Jay, Jeffrey, Jamie, and James Strain (Riverdale, NY) to the Elvehjem Museum of Art [now called Chazen Museum of Art]

• Exhibition gallery guide, "Revealing Forms: African Art from the Elvehjem Collection." 2002.
• Drewal, Henry John. "African Art at the Elvehjem." Bulletin/Biennial Report 2001-2003. Elvehjem Museum of Art (2003): 16-36. pp. 16-36

• Revealing Forms: African Art from the Collection: Elvehjem Museum of Art, 4/20/2002–6/16/2002

This chair, made of dark wood and leather, has a straight backrest and no arms. Its overall construction is simple and rectilinear. The wood framework—including the legs, rails, and backrest—is heavily adorned with metal tacks or studs with rounded heads arranged in neat rows along the surface. Larger studs are evenly spaced among the smaller ones, creating visual interest in the pattern. Though dark in color, the studs catch the light and emphasize their texture. The back of the chair is tall and rectangular, with an arched segment at the center of the crest rail. Its upper portion features an openwork panel with three vertical bars in a lighter, contrasting wood. Each bar contains three small geometric cutouts stacked vertically. These open sections are framed by the dark, stud-covered wood. The seat is a flat square covered in dark, aged leather that is cracked and appears brittle. The four, square legs are straight, with two horizontal stretchers connecting the front and back legs at the bottom. The legs, like the rest of the framework, are completely covered in the metal studs. Overall, the chair appears aged and worn.

• Africa
• Furniture
• Alt Text Accessible

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