This rare example of a Greek ceremonial chair (“thronos” in ancient Greek) was found in Athens and likely once stood in a public place as a seat of honor. Such marble chairs often had ornamental arm rests and animal legs in front, like this one. While we usually think of thrones being made for royalty, the Greek seats were intended for important officials and prominent members of  the community. In theaters and crowded meeting places their high backs would have stood out from the bench seating provided for most people. Some ceremonial chairs were built into other nearby seats, but this one is freestanding, meant to be viewed from all sides. 

On the back of this chair, just below the top, an inscribed text names BOETHOS, but the text is too badly worn to tell us about him or whether he is the person the chair was originally meant to honor. The back and armrests are carved with symbolic imagery in low relief above a horizontal carved band running around the chair at the level of the seat. The raised decoration would once have been painted to stand out more clearly, but the paint and some of the stone have worn away. On the back, two olive wreaths, symbols of victory and honor, are carved below the inscription. On the outside of the armrests are two different narrative relief scenes of warriors, each symbolizing the Athenian rejection of tyranny and outside control.