Skip to Content
Closed now, next open tomorrow. Closed now, next open tomorrow.

  • Mon 11–5
  • Tue–Wed Closed
  • Thu 11–8
  • Fri–Sun 11–5
  • The first hour of every day, 10–11 a.m., is reserved for member-only viewing.

Reclining Chair

A work made of wood.

Image actions

  • A work made of wood.

Date:

Early/mid–20th century

Artist:

Gur-speaking peoples, possibly Lobi
Burkina Faso
Northern Africa and the Sahel

About this artwork

In Burkina Faso, the chairs of male elders are often embellished with abstract motifs or stylized attributes of animals. This reclining chair suggests the form of a bush buffalo with four blocky legs, a swayed belly, characteristically curved horns, and floppy ears. When a person sits in the chair, the horns and ears give the appearance of a headdress and incorporate the sitter into the imagery of the intelligent, powerful animal. Incised linear patterns on the chair’s footrest and lower back, and the three sculpted slats in the center of the backrest add to the chair’s appeal.

Status

Currently Off View

Department

Arts of Africa

Culture

Lobi

Title

Reclining Chair

Place

Burkina Faso (Object made in)

Date  Dates are not always precisely known, but the Art Institute strives to present this information as consistently and legibly as possible. Dates may be represented as a range that spans decades, centuries, dynasties, or periods and may include qualifiers such as c. (circa) or BCE.

1901–1975

Medium

Wood

Dimensions

94 × 43.2 × 185.4 cm (37 × 17 × 73 in.)

Credit Line

Purchased with funds provided by Marshall Field

Reference Number

1997.459

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.
Learn more

Image actions

Share

Suggested Terms