The Afro Chairs by Nathalie Guezd have the clean, and economic lines that characterize great design, the same sort of material expression of “less is more” that epitomizes traditional Japanese utilitarian (as opposed to decorative) arts.

This limited edition of 25 ebonized maple chairs are inspired by the simple cultural expressions of six different African peoples, the Kombai, Hagen, Himba, Maasai, Mursi, and N’Debele. For example the Maasai chair sports anklets on one leg, as do Maasai women, and the bone incorporated into and representing nose piercing characterizes the Kombai chair.

These manifestations of culture have been refined in their African context through countless generations.

This young Israili/Canadian studio-furniture artist has incorporated and transformed them into beautiful pieces of contemporary furniture that will find their way into museums as well as homes.