Early-20th-Century Senufo Carved Fertility Chair — West Africa

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Early-20th-century Senufo carved fertility chair.

An evocative Senufo fertility chair from northern Côte d’Ivoire, circa early 1900s. The single-seat chair … Read more Early-20th-century Senufo carved fertility chair.

An evocative Senufo fertility chair from northern Côte d’Ivoire, circa early 1900s. The single-seat chair is supported by carved human figures and terminated by characteristic hornbill carvings at the arms — motifs traditionally associated with fertility and protection. Carved in dense hardwood with old, mellowed surface and traces of libation/pigment in the recesses that attest to ritual use. No modern restorations noted. Dimensions H 35½″ × W 26.28" × D 28″ (90.5 × 80 × 65 cm). Museum comparanda: Metropolitan Museum (Senufo chair, 19th–20th c.).


“Acquired in Wilmington, DE in 2021 from an estate auction. No export restrictions known; buyer to verify locally.

Sources supporting comparable listings and museum examples: Met Museum, 1stDibs, recent auction lots and Chairish. See less