Set of African furniture of ceremonial character. Fon ethnic group, former Kingdom of Dahomey, Benin, 1950s.

Set of African furniture of ceremonial character. Fon ethnicity, former Kingdom of Dahomey, Benin, 1950s.
Solid carved wood.
Composed of four armchairs, central circular table and two auxiliary tables/stools on marble base.
Measurements: 75 × 57 × 40 cm. each armchair; 54 cm. height × 50 cm. diameter central table; 42 cm. height × 21 cm. diameter stools.

Set of furniture made of carved solid wood, linked to the artistic tradition of the Fon people, in the former Kingdom of Dahomey, now Benin. The armchairs correspond to a typology of dignitary seating, conceived not only as functional furniture, but also as an object of representation, prestige and authority. In Fon culture, certain seats and stools could act as emblems of rank or belong to court officials, reinforcing their symbolic value within the social and ceremonial sphere.

The pieces stand out for their rich sculptural decoration, with openwork backs, human figures and animals integrated into the structure itself. This type of carving is related to the importance of the image in Dahomean art, where zoomorphic motifs, protective figures and visual emblems conveyed ideas of power, lineage and protection. In the Fon tradition, animals could be associated with authority and the identity of rulers or dignitaries, functioning as signs of strength and legitimacy.

Because of its stylistic unity, its ceremonial character and the expressive strength of the carving, this is a particularly attractive set for African art collections, performance spaces or contemporary interiors where a piece of great ethnographic and sculptural impact is sought.