Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 14

Antique Asante (Ashanti) 'Akonkromfi' Chief's Throne Chair, Ghana, 19th Century

About the Item

ANTIQUE WEST AFRICAN CHAIR Made from hand-carved hardwood with a leather seat and embellished profusely with brass sheets and studs culminating in decorative brass finials. The carved knot that features on the the front and back rails is known as the ‘Wisdom Knot’ a symbol of intelligence and unity. The X-frame and the decorative flourishes of the chair were based on the folding 17th-century baroque chairs that European visitors brought with them, these designs then became popular to emulate and make their own for Asante royalty during the 19th Century. Akonkromfi translates as praying mantis which refers to the articulated form of both the chair and the insect. Akonkromfi chairs were exclusively used by Asante chiefs and royalty ceremonially and on state occasions. This example was found by the previous owner when clearing an attic in an old industrial building in Bermondsey, London, tied to eaves and covered in dust. It had been there for many many years. Probably dating to the mid-late 19th century, circa 1850-1880. Akonkromfi chairs seem to be fairly rare in comparison to the more common Asapim chairs I can’t find any other examples that have sold at auction but there are some similar examples in museum collections across the world including The British Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The Art Institute of Chicago and The Minneapolis Institute of Art, The Davis Museum and The Harn Museum The chair is in good vintage order for its age. We have left it in completely original condition as it was found. There is wear commensurate with age throughout. The construction is fairly rudimentary mainly using nails so there is some slight movement in the arms but I think this is how they always have been. The rest of the chair seems pretty solid. There are some old repairs and minor losses throughout but these appear to be original and from its years being used ceremonially in Africa. The leather seat is original and has some wear but has hardened naturally over time, we have tested it to be secure enough to sit on but I wouldn’t have thought you would want to use it as an everyday chair for sitting on and it may be more of a decorative piece. Approximate measurements 97cm high x 69cm wide x 67cm deep. The seat height is roughly 43cm.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 38.19 in (97 cm)Width: 27.17 in (69 cm)Depth: 26.38 in (67 cm)Seat Height: 16.93 in (43 cm)
  • Style:
    Baroque (In the Style Of)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Brass,Leather,Wood,Carved,Embroidered,Hand-Carved,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Woven,Metalwork,Needlework,Woodwork,Woven
  • Place of Origin:
    Ghana
  • Period:
    19th Century
  • Date of Manufacture:
    circa 1850-1880
  • Condition:
    Repaired: There are some old repairs and minor losses throughout but these appear to be original and from its years being used ceremonially in Africa. The leather seat is original and has some wear but has hardened naturally over time, we have tested it to be. Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Bristol, GB
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU6260242157762

More From This Seller

View All
Antique Neo Gothic Library Side Chair By Alfred Waterhouse, Late 19th Century
By Alfred Waterhouse
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SIDE CHAIR BY ALFRED WATERHOUSE RA PPRIBA (1830-1905) Designed by the eminent Victorian architect Alfred Waterhouse. Born in Liverpool in 1830 Waterhouse had a celebrated ca...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Arts and Crafts Side Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Antique Neo Gothic Library Side Chair By Alfred Waterhouse, Late 19th Century

Antique Neo Gothic Library Side Chair By Alfred Waterhouse, Late 19th Century

$1,230
Antique Irish Primitive Painted Pine Scullery Table, 19th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SIDE TABLE A decorative and rustic piece constructed of pine with square tapered legs united by a box stretcher with a frieze drawer and a shelf underneath the two-plank top...
Category

Antique 19th Century British Rustic Farm Tables

Materials

Paint, Pine

Antique Irish Primitive Painted Pine Scullery Table, 19th Century

Antique Irish Primitive Painted Pine Scullery Table, 19th Century

$1,195
Antique Original Watercolour Painting Depicting a Classical Scene, 19th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Original Watercolour Painting Depicting a Classical Scene A woman is seated in an Arcadian landscape and is being atten...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Italian Paintings

Materials

Paint, Paper

Antique Original Watercolour Painting Depicting a Classical Scene, 19th Century

Antique Original Watercolour Painting Depicting a Classical Scene, 19th Century

$405
Antique Painted Pine Dresser Base, Lancashire, Early 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique English Sideboard/Buffet/Dresser, c. 1830s A hugely decorative dresser with a shaped back in its original crusty paint which has become thick in texture to great effect. Co...
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English Rustic Dressers

Materials

Elm, Sycamore, Pine, Paint

Antique Painted Pine Dresser Base, Lancashire, Early 19Th Century

Antique Painted Pine Dresser Base, Lancashire, Early 19Th Century

$2,417
Antique French Green Painted Domed Top Chest, 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE PAINTED DOMED TRUNK A decorative and useful chest of fairly generous proportions, constructed of pine with iron carry handles. Layers of old paint of differing shades of gr...
Category

Antique 19th Century French Rustic Painted Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique French Green Painted Domed Top Chest, 19Th Century

Antique French Green Painted Domed Top Chest, 19Th Century

$529
Antique Hungarian Rustic Painted Pine Side Table, 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SIDE TABLE A decorative and rustic piece constructed of pine with square tapered legs united by an H-stretcher with a frieze drawer and a two-plank top. Layers of original ...
Category

Antique 19th Century Hungarian Rustic Side Tables

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Hungarian Rustic Painted Pine Side Table, 19Th Century

Antique Hungarian Rustic Painted Pine Side Table, 19Th Century

$1,029

You May Also Like

African Ashanti King's Asipim Chair Ghana 19th Century
Located in Rochester, NY
African Ashanti tribe chiefs chair. Highly decorated with brass tacks and pressed brass decorations. Hardwood with vellum back and seat. Ghana. Late 19th century.
Category

Antique 19th Century Ghanaian Chairs

Materials

Brass

African Ashanti King's Asipim Chair Ghana 19th Century

African Ashanti King's Asipim Chair Ghana 19th Century

$1,145
Antique English Throne Chair 19th Century
Located in Newtown, CT
19th Century English Throne Chair. It is 28" wide x 81" high and 17" deep. Heavily carved chair. Missing its fretwork on top of the chair. There ...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Gothic Revival Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique English Throne Chair 19th Century

Antique English Throne Chair 19th Century

$3,950
Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair
Located in Leuven , BE
Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim chair, outstanding item.
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Chairs

Materials

Wood

Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair

Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair

$5,589 Sale Price
40% Off
19th Century Walnut Throne Chair
Located in London, by appointment only
A substantial walnut throne chair, the curved back with arms terminating in eagle heads, the whole raised on zoomorphic legs terminating in lions p...
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Victorian Chairs

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Walnut Throne Chair

19th Century Walnut Throne Chair

$8,113
19th Century Italian Walnut Throne Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Single 19th century Italian finely carved walnut throne chair with mohair fabric.
Category

Antique 19th Century Italian Armchairs

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century Italian Walnut Throne Chair

19th Century Italian Walnut Throne Chair

$3,950
Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair with Cushion.
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
A royal chair in Asante society It is a sign of power and prestige used exclusively by chiefs. The chair is made of a hand carved wood frame covered with hammered brass tacks and stu...
Category

Antique 19th Century Ghanaian Tribal Chairs

Materials

Brass

Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair with Cushion.

Ashanti People, Ghana Asipim Chair with Cushion.

$1,850

Recently Viewed

View All