Art: The Asipim Chair at The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art

[Dated Late 19th-early 20th century]

"Chairs among the Asante are royal or chiefly regalia and are used on state occasions. Derived from17th-century European prototypes, they lack the spiritual symbolism of stools but do convey prestige. The number of chairs and the degree of elaboration vary with of importance of the ruler. The asipim is the most common. The name means "I stand firm," a reference both to its own sturdy construction and the stability of the ruler." www.africa.si.edu

Why not enjoy some of our rich cultural history -like the Asipim Chair at The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art -this weekend....their contact/address details are as follows:

Mission Statement
The Smithsonian's National Museum of African Art fosters the discovery and appreciation of the visual arts of Africa, the cradle of humanity.

Hours and admission
10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. daily except December 25; admission is free

Contacting us
National Museum of African Art Smithsonian Institution
P.O. Box 37012 MRC 708
Washington, DC 20013-7012
202.633.4600
202.357.4879 (fax)
http://africa.si.edu/

Location
950 Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, D.C. 20560