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Klismos Side Chair with Cushion

Decorative Arts and Design

On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MANUFACTURER Eleftherios Saridis
MEDIUM Walnut, leather, fabric
  • Place Manufactured: Athens, Greece
  • DATES 1961
    DIMENSIONS Overall: 35 3/8 x 20 7/8 x 28 1/4 in. (89.9 x 53 x 71.8 cm) Cushion (b): 2 x 19 3/4 x 17 in. (5.1 x 50.2 x 43.2 cm)  (show scale)
    ACCESSION NUMBER 1991.197a-b
    CREDIT LINE H. Randolph Lever Fund
    CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION "Klismos" Side Chair (a) of walnut frame and leather seat with fabric cushion (b). (a) Top of chair back is rectangular form bent in at sides to wrap around human body and flared outward along top and bottom edges; supported by two back stiles which are squared at top then become columnar forms which widens toward seat, then continue into back legs and terminate in tapered, flat cut feet. Columnar stretcher connects back stiles above seat; wide rectangular back splat runs between this stretcher and top of chair back. From seat level, chair back curves outward and back legs curve inward then sharply outward at bottom to form feet. Front legs mirror back legs and have pointed top corner at seat level. Seat rail joins legs along all four sides forming trapezoidal frame (wider at front). Strips of leather rope woven into loose seat between frame; each length of rope wraps around bottom of seat rail and is secured at end with nails. (b) Cushion is thin, flat trapezoidal shape with curved sides; upholstered in tan fabric printed in gold with grid lines framing a male lion in profile. CONDITION: Good; some scuffs and scratches in chair, especially around feet; cushion fabric appears discolored (faded?) and has several large stains.
    MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
    CAPTION Terence Harold Robsjohn-Gibbings (British, 1905-1976, active America, 1930-1964). Klismos Side Chair with Cushion, 1961. Walnut, leather, fabric, Overall: 35 3/8 x 20 7/8 x 28 1/4 in. (89.9 x 53 x 71.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 1991.197a-b. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.1991.197_view1.jpg)
    IMAGE overall, CUR.1991.197_view1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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    RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY
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