Symbolic wisdoms; distinguished but communicative wisdoms in the form of imagery (designs or symbols) by which a country, tribe, or ethnic group use to convey its rich culture and philosophies, have since been used in many mediums to communicate to people. Among the Ghanaians, the most popular symbolic wisdom "Gye Nyame" which translates as "except God", symbolizing God's supremacy and omnipotent is not only conveyed in textile design and architectural buildings but also in traditional Ghanaian furniture items. Among the Chinese, Dragon (Lóng), which symbolizes imperial power and authority, protection, good luck, male vigor, and fertility, is the most popular Chinese distinguished symbolic wisdom not only conveyed in textile design and architectural buildings but also in the traditional furniture items they use. There are more symbolic wisdoms used by the two countries in their Traditional furniture industry. They are to serve as a vessel for expression, posing a question or suggesting a possible answer. It is, however, a worry that though most Ghanaians and Chinese users of Traditional Furniture items with wisdoms conveyed in them know and can mention some associated with them respectively, they do not know the meaning or message the symbolic wisdoms carry. Given this, the study primarily aimed at researching the various symbolic wisdoms conveyed in the traditional Ghanaian and Chinese furniture items, to educate users to have indepth knowledge and understanding of their preferred symbols when conveyed in furniture items. The survey research design using the qualitative approach was adopted. The convenience and purposive sampling techniques were considered to select a sample size of 25 respondents each from the two countries for the study (50 respondents). A significant percentage; 55% and 43% users respectively of Traditional Ghanaian and Chinese furniture items with symbolic wisdoms conveyed in them do not know the meaning or message the symbolic wisdoms carry. The study is expected to help educate the users to get in-depth knowledge and understanding of the message the symbols carry rather than just picking and using crafty symbolic wisdom(s). Both Ghanaian and Chinese users are encouraged to find out the meaning and the message a preferred symbolic wisdom carries before it is used. Again, further studies need to be done on the influence symbolic wisdom(s) has/have on users, and how it/they corelates with their behaviour. Furthermore, studies on other peculiar symbolic wisdom conveyed in furniture items found in temples, churches, mosques, etc. needs to be researched.

Traditional Ghanaian furniture designs are known as an exhibition of the splendor and elegance of decorative objects or decorative ornaments that carry profound philosophical and sacred meanings.  The features found in Ghana’s traditional Ghanaian design can be considered as objects for international players, with their own identity and not found elsewhere.  This paper therefore seeks to identify and illuminate some of these Akan cultural objects in Ghana by referring to the Ashanti region. This paper also shows with examples how these design elements can be developed and maintained by integrating them into modern furniture and interior designs or as a straightforward or adaptive design.

The main purpose of this review paper was to highlight Social Beliefs and Ergonomics on Traditional Seat of Wooden Furniture Review of Related Literature. More specifically, the review of limited literature on traditional seat of wooden furniture in view of ergonomics which characterized the basic structure, safety, functions and aesthetics properties. The paper then provides possible solutions to redesign traditional seats that promote healthier sitting behaviours centered on appropriate configuration of its components. The paper also explores the cross-cultural considerations associated with traditional seat furniture design.  

Market trends information like price/value fluctuations aid traders and investors to create profits. This study assessed unit values of garden furniture and lumber among wood species, as well as the destination and product type effect on these values. Reports on wood products export were reviewed to obtain data for analyses. Findings were that values/m 3 of all wood species were higher when used for garden furniture than when used for lumber production for exports. Among the identified wood species for both garden furniture and lumber production for export, Pericopsis elata (afromosia) had the highest value for both furniture (€3,308.844) and lumber (€869.00) whereas Terminalia ivorensis (emire) had the least furniture value (€1,336.936) while Pycnanthus angolensis (otie) had the least lumber value (€263.10). Sweden and Italy respectively offered the highest (€17,891.80) and lowest (€1134.30) mean garden furniture value, while Sweden and France respectively offered the highest (€557.31) and lowest (€314.97) lumber value. Direction of trade and product type had significant effect (p<0.01) on values of the products and they explained 92.3% of the variations. Generally, both products registered a decreasing trend in volumes exported over the period but lumber value/m 3 appreciated whereas furniture value/m 3 fell. Conclusions were that the most valued wood species for both lumber and furniture in the export market is afromosia and the best destination for both furniture and kiln-dried lumber export is Sweden. Based on monetary values, it was recommended that garden furniture production for exports should be encouraged than lumber, and furniture export to Sweden could yield higher values/m 3 .