19th Century African Mythology Themed Carved English Hall Chair

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Carved in ancient oak and walnut by renowned Victorian Gothic Revival furniture crafters Hewetson, Milner & Thexton of London, this … Read more Carved in ancient oak and walnut by renowned Victorian Gothic Revival furniture crafters Hewetson, Milner & Thexton of London, this turn of the century piece is a one-of-a-kind hall chair and artwork that apparently celebrates the West African (Nigeria, Benin, Togo) Yoruba goddess Yemaya, Mother of Oshun (the Seas), who is also a primary figure in the Caribbean Santeria religion. At the top of the chair, one sees a depiction of veiled Yemaya herself, shouldered with gods of power and flanked by mermaids who do her bidding. At the bottom of the chair back, spilling water onto the seat is Yemaya's water giver. Underneath this figurative surface of the sea, forming the base of the chair, are the serpent monsters and whirlpools of destruction from which Yemaya provides protection. See less