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Ghana Asipim (Chief's Chair)

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https://digital.library.illinois.edu/items/9a581db0-0d92-0135-23f6-0050569601ca-d
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Descriptive Information

Title
Ghana Asipim (Chief's Chair)
Description
  • Low chair made of wood with short, straight legs, four stretchers, a straight but slightly angled short back. The top rail of the back rises to a high curve
  • there are tall brass finials at each end. All outer surfaces are covered with leather and embellished with brass tacks and larger, hollow brass pieces.
Interpretation
This low chair style known as an Asipim features a relatively wide, flat seat with a short back and no arms. It is based on a traditional 17th century European form brought to the African subcontinent by European explorers. It is one of the European objects copied by African rulers as a symbol of power. Art in Africa is used to reflect the power of kings, to record their ancestry, to validate their rule, and to demonstrate their wealth. Asipim are chief's chairs, symbols of political power and social status. Other people would sit on a stool, a log or on the ground.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • African Folk Tales  
  • African Novel Study  
  • Celebrations and Festivals  
  • Ghana Artifacts  
  • European Explorers  
Learning Standards
  • 16 History  
  • 18 Social Systems  
Author or Creator
Akan (African peoples) Social life and customs  
Source
Donated to the Lakeview Museum by Richard K. Meyer.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Ghana  
  • Africa  
  • Ceremonies  
  • Festivals  
  • Furniture  
  • Chairs  
  • Seat furniture  
  • Akan culture  
Spatial Coverage
Ghana  
Temporal Coverage
1850/1900
Collection Publisher
Lakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
Rights
Copyright Not Evaluated
Resource Identifier
LVM1974.012.002
Date Created
7-8-02
Collection Title
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
Collection
Teaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
TitleGhana Asipim (Chief's Chair)
Description
  • Low chair made of wood with short, straight legs, four stretchers, a straight but slightly angled short back. The top rail of the back rises to a high curve
  • there are tall brass finials at each end. All outer surfaces are covered with leather and embellished with brass tacks and larger, hollow brass pieces.
InterpretationThis low chair style known as an Asipim features a relatively wide, flat seat with a short back and no arms. It is based on a traditional 17th century European form brought to the African subcontinent by European explorers. It is one of the European objects copied by African rulers as a symbol of power. Art in Africa is used to reflect the power of kings, to record their ancestry, to validate their rule, and to demonstrate their wealth. Asipim are chief's chairs, symbols of political power and social status. Other people would sit on a stool, a log or on the ground.
Lesson Plans / Themes
  • African Folk Tales  
  • African Novel Study  
  • Celebrations and Festivals  
  • Ghana Artifacts  
  • European Explorers  
Learning Standards
  • 16 History  
  • 18 Social Systems  
Author or CreatorAkan (African peoples) Social life and customs  
SourceDonated to the Lakeview Museum by Richard K. Meyer.  
Subject / Keywords
  • Ghana  
  • Africa  
  • Ceremonies  
  • Festivals  
  • Furniture  
  • Chairs  
  • Seat furniture  
  • Akan culture  
Spatial CoverageGhana  
Temporal Coverage1850/1900
Collection PublisherLakeview Museum of Arts and Sciences
RightsCopyright Not Evaluated
Resource IdentifierLVM1974.012.002
Date Created7-8-02
Collection TitleTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)
CollectionTeaching with Digital Content (Cultural Heritage Community)

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Ghana Asipim (Chief's Chair), front view
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Ghana Asipim (Chief's Chair), rear view
Original File (TIFF) Custom Image…