West African Beaded Armchair: A Yoruba Royal Seat

26”W x 33 1/2”H x 30 1/2”D  Seat Height: 13 1/4”H  Arm Height: 23”H This captivating West African beaded armchair from the Yoruba Peoples is more than furniture; it’s a vibrant testament to artistry and cultural significance. The chair's architecture—a squared back over a continuous seat—forms the canvas for a dazzling narrative rendered in polychrome glass beads. Topping the back, figural mask terminals introduce layers of meaning central to Yoruba tradition. A closer examination reveals the meticulous beadwork: bold colors—red, white, blue, yellow, and black—form the stylized facial features of the masks, which are likely intended to honor ancestors or represent spiritual forces within Yoruba cosmology. The masks preside over a lively parade of native African animals—lions, rhinoceroses, monkeys, and zebras—alongside stylized floral motifs. These animals, rendered in contrasting black against a vibrant red background, may symbolize power, royalty, or the natural world's bounty. The t