Armchair
Decorative Arts
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, From Colonies to States, 1660–1830
These two mahogany chairs from Mexico are indebted to the same design source, the Rococo furniture popularized in England by Thomas Chippendale, yet they represent relatively restrained versions of the Mexican “Chippendale” style, which is heavier, more robust, and sometimes more elaborate than its English or Anglo-American counterparts. These chairs and the two portraits nearby would have been found in formal spaces in the houses of the well-to-do, indicating high social standing.
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
RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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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
"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.
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.
RECORD COMPLETENESS
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we welcome any additional information you might have.
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.
