Unknown. Child's Armchair (relic), ca. 1860–1870. Oak, original needlepoint upholstery, 31 1/2 x 15 x 16 1/2 in. (80.0 x 38.1 x 41.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.112.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.112.1_bw_IMLS.jpg)
Unknown. Child's Armchair (relic), ca. 1860–1870. Oak, original needlepoint upholstery, 31 1/2 x 15 x 16 1/2 in. (80.0 x 38.1 x 41.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.112.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.112.1_bw.jpg)
Child's Armchair (relic)
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MAKER
Unknown
CULTURE
American
MEDIUM
Oak, original needlepoint upholstery
DATES
ca. 1860–1870
DIMENSIONS
31 1/2 x 15 x 16 1/2 in. (80.0 x 38.1 x 41.9 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Unmarked
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
85.112.1
CREDIT LINE
Designated Purchase Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Child's armchair, oak with original needlepoint upholstery. ARMCHAIR: Front legs in shape of horse's legs with carved hoof feet, incised decoration above feet and on sides of legs, carved pendant acanthus leaves at knees, and incised decoration above knees at corner blocks. Front seat rail has incised decoration and, in the center, carved shells enclosing a dispatch pouch with the letters "US". Rear legs are round in section, becoming rectangular stiles above seat rail. These stiles flare out slightly outward and have carved anthemion below juncture with armrests and horse's heads with foliage below at crest rail. Crest rail has central crest of United States (with 6 stars) overlaid by the letter "P" and surrounded by draped flags and cannons with an American eagle perching on crest. Stiles and crest frame an oval back below which is a rail with central asymmetrical shell enclosing a drum and bugle. Armrests flare outward, have incised decoration, and terminate in carved head of Confederate soldier, bearded and mustachioed, with anthemion below. Throughout frame, pieces of lead are embedded in wood. UPHOLSTERY: Medallion back and seat upholstered in green felt with green gimp and leather-headed tacks. In the center of the seat is a wool needlework trophy comprising cannon and cannonballs, drum, bugle, three rifles with bayonets, sword, military pouch and crossed flags. Colors: red, white, blue, gold, brown, and black. The sword, bayonets, and pouch are decorated in some places with beadwork.
CONDITION: Chair frame has pieces of lead embedded in numerous places and grain of wood is fractured around some of these. Old repair on stile above proper left arm includes some fill. Cracks in proper left arm. Eagle's head at crest is broken and reattached. Damage to frame behind horse's head, proper left side of crest rail. Ears chipped on both horses' heads at crest rail. Brims of soldiers' caps chipped on both armrests. Minor chips on feet. Frame stable. Upholstery on back replaced. Upholstery on seat: original needlework removed from its original backing and appliquéd to new upholstery. Original needlework worn, especially in star field of flags and in some areas of stripes of flags. Old leather (from original seat) between elements of needlework design is dry and crumbling. Beadwork largely intact but a few strands are missing from sword sheath and from bayonet on proper right side of seat.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION
Unknown. Child's Armchair (relic), ca. 1860–1870. Oak, original needlepoint upholstery, 31 1/2 x 15 x 16 1/2 in. (80.0 x 38.1 x 41.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 85.112.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 85.112.1_bw_IMLS.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 85.112.1_bw_IMLS.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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