- On View
- Visual Arts Gallery
- Museum Maps
- Objects in this Location
- Exhibition
- Reclaiming My Time
- Designed by
- Tariku, Jomo, Ethiopian American, born 1968
- Manufactured by
- Bohnhoff, David, American
- Date
- 2022
- Medium
- stain on walnut
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 24 1/2 × 22 × 20 in. (62.2 × 55.9 × 50.8 cm)
- Description
- The MeQuamya Chair designed by Jomo Tariku. The three-legged chair is constructed from American walnut wood with a natural finish. The chair has a T-shaped backrest designed to resemble the prayer and processional staff used by the Ethiopian Coptic Church. It also has a reuleaux triangular shaped seat constructed from three pieces of wood bonded together to create a triangular, wood grain pattern. The three chair legs are carved in a pentagonal shape that is wider at the top and that narrows towards the bottom, terminating in a plain foot that tapers diagonally outward. The legs attach to the chair seat through smooth, fitted joints carved into the legs and seat. The T-shape backrest is an extension of the back leg that rises above the seat and flares out on either side to create the back support. The front side of the backrest projects slightly forward at the midline with diamond shaped points at the top and bottom. The backrest extends outwards in two smooth plains that taper inwards along the top and bottom edges and are squared on the left and right edges. The chair manufacturer’s name, [MADE BY / BOHNHOFF], is engraved on the bottom of the seat. Also on the bottom of the seat is a black ink stamp that reads [MeQuamya Chair #5 / Design by Jomo Tariku, 2018 / Made by David Bohnhoff, 2022 / American Walnut]. There are small felt floor protector pads adhered to the chair feet.
- Cultural Place
- Ethiopia, East Africa, Africa
- Classification
- Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design
- Type
- seats and seat components
- chairs
- Topic
- Africa
- Craftsmanship
- Design
- Furniture design
- Identity
- Religion
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Object number
- 2023.64.1
- Restrictions & Rights
- Design © Jomo Tariku
- Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




