Exhibit 99a

                CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                       AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906
                        OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Bassett Furniture Industries, Inc.
(the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ending August 31, 2002, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I
Robert H. Spilman, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify,
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. ss.1350, as adopted pursuant to ss.906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

     1.   The Report fully complies with the requirements of Sections 13(a) or
          15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

     2.   The information contained in the report fairly presents, in all
          material respects, the financial condition and results of operations
          of the Company.




/s/ ROBERT H. SPILMAN, JR.
   -----------------------------------
Robert H. Spilman, Jr.
President and Chief Executive Officer

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