A rare and old ‘lion throne’ of the Fon – a chair of prestige for a high-ranking dignitary in the court of a Fon king. Probably from a palace from the city of Abomey. This type of chair is NOT a royal throne of the Fon (those look different, approaching in their form a very high Ashanti chair: see cat. no. 139). This seat of honour of a high dignitary is made of very hard wood, carved from a single piece and uncoloured. The two supports on the underlying rectangular base plate represent two big lions with roaring mouths and tails lifted high. Onto these rest the rectangular and slightly curved seat. On its sides stand two smaller lions meant to serve as arm rests. Their formal presentation is very similar to that of the lions underneath. However, their tails point downwards.
The honour chair’s backrest is largely broken off. Minor, negligible pieces are broken off the two right-side lions, too, as well as off one of the legs, the base plate and seat. Present also are some minor age related tears. What remains is still an impressive, large fragment of a ‘Lion throne’, boasting a convincing, darkly shiny, old usage patina – especially on the two upper lions (the arm supports) and on the seat. Height: 75 cm; width: 52 cm; depth: 32 cm (lower lions). 19th century to around 1900. (ME)

Provenance:
Italian private collection.