Skip to Content
Today Open today 10–11 members | 11–5 public

Chair

A work made of hardwood, caning.
CC0 Public Domain Designation

Image actions

  • A work made of hardwood, caning.

Date:

c. 1820-40

Artist:

West Indies, probably French or British-colonized islands

About this artwork

The form of this chair is influenced by the neo-classical Empire style that prevailed in Europe and the United States at the beginning of the nineteenth century. However, it also displays a distinctly colonial Caribbean aesthetic. Its low height and slanted back were designed for easy leg elevation, necessary to reduce the swelling that was a common ailment caused by the heat. The caning on the seat and back, original to the chair, facilitated airflow and was resistant to tropical nuisances such as mold and insect infestation. The bold, muscular carving is characteristic of West Indian furniture design, which often incorporated motifs, such as spiral twists, that were also associated with certain African wood carving traditions familiar to many Caribbean craftsmen who were descended from enslaved Africans.

Status

Currently Off View

Title

Chair

Place

West Indies (Object Possibly made in)

Date

1815–1845

Medium

Hardwood, caning

Dimensions

92.1 × 58.5 × 66.1 cm (36 1/4 × 23 × 26 in.)

Credit Line

Neville and John H. Bryan Endowment Fund

Reference Number

2022.469

IIIF Manifest  The International Image Interoperability Framework (IIIF) represents a set of open standards that enables rich access to digital media from libraries, archives, museums, and other cultural institutions around the world.

Learn more.

https://api.artic.edu/api/v1/artworks/264796/manifest.json

Extended information about this artwork

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email . Information about image downloads and licensing is available here.

Share

Sign up for our enewsletter to receive updates.

Learn more

Image actions

Share