Collections: Decorative Arts: Armchair (Renaissance Revival style)

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Armchair (Renaissance Revival style)

• Designer And Maker: John Jelliff & Company, 1836-1890
• Medium: Walnut, burl walnut veneer, original upholstery
• Place Made: Newark, New Jersey, USA
• Dates: ca. 1870
• Dimensions: 42 3/4 x 28 3/4 x 33 1/4 in. (108.6 x 73.0 x 84.4 cm)
• Collections: Decorative Arts
• Museum Location: This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
• Accession Number: 1994.18
• Credit Line: H. Randolph Lever Fund
• Image: Overall, 1994.18_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
John Jelliff & Company (1836-1890). Armchair (Renaissance Revival style), ca. 1870. Walnut, burl walnut veneer, original upholstery, 42 3/4 x 28 3/4 x 33 1/4 in. (108.6 x 73.0 x 84.4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 1994.18 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1994.18_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Armchair, walnut with burl walnut veneer, original upholstery. Elaborately carved, Renaissance Revival style frame, upholstered seat, seatback, arm unit and outside back. Crest rail pierced with high relief circular central medallion with female classical warrior profile flanked by symmetrical vertical finials and scrolling brackets. Medallion topped by semi-circular arch with incised decoration and scrolled acanthus leaf laid over each arch. Sides of seatback frame curve upward and outward and terminate in drop finials with thee-leaf palmettes and pendant finials with incised decoration. Sides of seatback frame descend into a large single volute with overlaid anthemion. Front of arms with high relief carving of female busts with single centered tassel and incised decoration below. Corner blocks of seat rail with conventionalized decoration; burl veneer panels across front of seat rail. Central scrolled inverted pendant on front seat rail with conventionalized decoration. Front legs are trumpet-turned with incised moldings. Rear undecorated legs flare outward. Metal castors on four legs with wood wheels, appear to be original. Circular bumper with pile fabric cover and gilded finish collar on center top of outside back. Upholstered seatback and arm unit with diamond tufting and channeling at top and bottom. Tufts held in place by self-covered buttons. Flat tape trim on perimeter of seatback, front seat rail, outside back and around front of arms. Twisted cord trim on front edge of seat. Cover is six-color damask (yellow, ecru, orange, light orange, gray, red) with gold ground and large repeat symmetrical floral design. Condition: Textile in poor condition, upholstery in fair condition. Very minor losses to feet, some age cracks. Finish clean and waxed before sale to museum.