Oromo Woven Bench with Single Arm

Only one arm, which settles the question of where the important person sits.

This woven bench with single arm is Oromo, from Ethiopia, East Africa, and dates to the late 19th to early 20th century. It is wood and leather. Across much of Africa, seating was the furniture form that carried the most meaning, and larger seats were generally associated with status in the household. The dark backrest is incised along its length with fine bands and lozenge motifs. A broad seat of plaited leather strips is stretched over a heavy frame, raised on thick turned legs, with a single curved arm at one end. It is 68 inches long and 30 high.

Room for several, and an armrest for one.