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Actions Displays	Kiti Cha Enzi Remove from selection Add to selection Reproduction Download mediaDownload as zip file Object number03969 TitleKiti Cha Enzi DescriptionThis grand, high-backed chair is a kiti cha enzi, quite literally a ‘Chair of Power’ made by the Swahili peoples from the east coast of Africa during the 19th century. Manufactured in workshops in places such as Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar, these chairs were the ultimate household status symbol, to be used only by high-ranking visitors and important family members. This is a fine example: the dark hardwood frame has been carefully crafted and pegged together; the back, seat and footrest feature panels of tightly woven string. There are sections of intricate marquetry inlaid with ivory. Usually acquired in pairs or even bigger sets, they look the part – regal, dignified, elegant. The kiti cha enzi is very much a product of its place and its associated history. For thousands of years the Swahili people have lived along the African East coast next to the Indian Ocean. Trade, warfare, pilgrimage, enslavement – the sea brought all of these to their shores, as well as travellers with new ideas. Some of these ideas were imposed on the people, others were mixed with local ways and traditions. With influences from furniture made in Spain, Portugal and northern Africa, this chair illustrates how the Swahili makers adopted and adapted designs to create something very special and unique. Production placeAfrica (East) Tanzania Zanzibar, Zanzibar Object nameChair Furniture Dimensions whole Height: 880 whole Width: 690 whole Depth: 590

Reproduction

Download mediaDownload as zip file

Object number03969

TitleKiti Cha Enzi

DescriptionThis grand, high-backed chair is a kiti cha enzi, quite literally a ‘Chair of Power’ made by the Swahili peoples from the east coast of Africa during the 19th century. Manufactured in workshops in places such as Mombasa, Lamu and Zanzibar, these chairs were the ultimate household status symbol, to be used only by high-ranking visitors and important family members. This is a fine example: the dark hardwood frame has been carefully crafted and pegged together; the back, seat and footrest feature panels of tightly woven string. There are sections of intricate marquetry inlaid with ivory. Usually acquired in pairs or even bigger sets, they look the part – regal, dignified, elegant. The kiti cha enzi is very much a product of its place and its associated history. For thousands of years the Swahili people have lived along the African East coast next to the Indian Ocean. Trade, warfare, pilgrimage, enslavement – the sea brought all of these to their shores, as well as travellers with new ideas. Some of these ideas were imposed on the people, others were mixed with local ways and traditions. With influences from furniture made in Spain, Portugal and northern Africa, this chair illustrates how the Swahili makers adopted and adapted designs to create something very special and unique.

Production placeAfrica (East) Tanzania Zanzibar, Zanzibar

Object nameChair

Furniture

Dimensions

whole Height: 880
whole Width: 690
whole Depth: 590