Antique Carved, Wooden Chair from the
Swat Valley.
This wooden chair comes from the
isolated and beautiful region of Swat on the northwest frontier of the Indian
Subcontinent, close to the mountainous tribal areas of Afghanistan, China, and
Central Asia.
Historically a meeting point of
civilizations and cultures, woodcarvers in the Swat valley developed an ornate
style of woodcarving, known as Swati woodwork.
This antique low floor chair features
intricate carvings of acacia leaves on the back of the chair reflecting Islamic
influence, while the seating itself is made of animal gut.
The family that owned the chair wanted
to replace it with modern western furniture.
