Ethiopian Wood Painted Bench

Yellow, red and black, in case anyone thought benches were meant to be modest.

This painted bench comes from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the late 19th or early 20th century. It is made of painted wood. Seating often carried particular weight in Ethiopian households, where a long painted bench marked the rank of its owner while giving guests and family a place to sit. Chevrons, diamonds and fan-shaped sprays are cut into the long backrest and filled with color. The single arm is checkered to match. Below, a broad plank seat and apron run a dark, patchy red, resting on four plain tapered legs. Seventy-two inches long.

The paint has not once lowered its voice.