Armchair
Decorative Arts
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, From Colonies to States, 1660–1830
Prosperous men and women, often European or of European descent, derived great fortunes from the natural and human resources of the Americas. Furniture produced in expensive mahogany, often reinterpreting fashionable European designs, conveyed social status and wealth.
MEDIUM
Mahogany, upholstery
DATES
1750-1800
DIMENSIONS
40 1/4 x 25 1/4 x 17 3/4in. (102.2 x 64.1 x 45.1cm)
(show scale)
MARKINGS
no marks
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
ACCESSION NUMBER
64.243.6
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Robert W. Dowling
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Armchair. Mahogany, shaped back, scrolled crest above a pierced lace-like splat; flaring, outward scrolled armrests; shaped seat upholstered with red brocade with red floral pattern; curved skirt; front cabriole legs terminating in formalized claw and ball feet, plain curved back legs.
CONDITION: Part of proper left front foot missing; armrests worn and loose; proper left side of rail back broken but is restored; proper right side back rail attached with iron hinge.
CAPTION
Armchair, 1750-1800. Mahogany, upholstery, 40 1/4 x 25 1/4 x 17 3/4in. (102.2 x 64.1 x 45.1cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Robert W. Dowling, 64.243.6. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 64.243.6_PS11.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 64.243.6_PS11.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2021
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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What style is this?
The style of this chair is called "Chippendale" and was popular in that the end of the 1700s in the North American colonies. My favorite aspect of the Chippendale chair is the ball-and-claw foot that you see at the bottom of the front two legs. Another characteristic of Chippendale furniture is the S-curves curves in the carved back and in the shape of the front legs. You'll notice that the chair next to it was made around the same time, but in a different place. And the two portraits behind them have a similar relationship: they're close in date, but one was made in Philadelphia and one was made in Peru. This Spanish Colonial chair is on the same platform as a chair made in the Philadelphia. On the wall behind it hang two portraits, one from Philadelphia and one from Peru.
