Traditionally, in African tribal society, each male member of a family had their own seat from early childhood. Youngsters learned the importance and social significance of one's "seat", mirrored in real life. The more important the person the more elaborate his chair. In some West African societies, rulers were carried high in their seats on parade, not unlike heads of state with their flags and motorcades of today.
In some agricultural societies peasant farmers carried their chairs wherever they went.
Visiting, one was expected to bring one's own chair. Stools of important people were richly decorated, often showing their power by sitting on the carved image of a beautiful slave or an animal supporting the seat. Authentic African chairs and stools like these are hard to find as often the wood they were carved from did not survive its use or was discarded to be replaced by a newer one.
The idea of the chest was imported from the east and north with the first slave traders.
Elaborately carved or richly decorated with copper and tiles these old chests are now rare, having been replaced with the modern 'tin trunk'.
Many of our older chests have been at sea on traditional trading Dhows for many years.
Shipping charges vary with weight and size, AA Club members please contact us for a quote.
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