MeQuamya Chair
JOMO TARIKU
MeQuamya Chair
Ebonized ash
27 x 21 x 17 in
The MeQuamya Chair is inspired by the T-shaped prayer staff, or mequamia, used by deacons and priests during long meditations and religious processions in Ethiopian Orthodox Churches. The mequamia, shaped like a tau cross, provides support for worshippers who must stand for extended periods, allowing them to rest their arms or lean against it.
Jomo Tariku’s chair design incorporates the shape of the prayer staff into the backrest, while its complex geometry—featuring six-sided legs and a seven-sided backrest—adds visual intrigue from various angles. Though challenging to craft due to its many angles and planes, this complexity enhances the chair’s unique appeal.
Jomo Tariku’s MeQuamya Chair is in the collection of the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
“I aim to cultivate a lifelong appreciation for elevated modern African design, and to inspire a deeper and fuller connection to the continent. I weave the continent’s nature, art, and history within each piece I produce. Every design tells a unique story, with no detail overlooked or undervalued.” —Jomo Tariku
