Wainscot Chair
American
1 of 2
Object Label
In seventeenth-century America, the armchair acted as a throne, supporting the status of the most important person in a gathering—the chairman. Most people sat on stools or benches. With this chair, comfort is not the purpose. The hard, straight back requires sitting up straight, the carved crest frames the head like a crown, and the placement of the hands on the armrests gives the sitter a pose of formal power.
Caption
American. Wainscot Chair, second half 17th century. Painted oak, 48 1/8 x 26 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (122.2 x 67.9 x 59.7 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Dick S. Ramsay Fund, 51.158. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Wainscot Chair
Date
second half 17th century
Geography
Possible place made: Massachusetts, United States
Medium
Painted oak
Classification
Dimensions
48 1/8 x 26 3/4 x 23 1/2 in. (122.2 x 67.9 x 59.7 cm)
Markings
unmarked
Credit Line
Dick S. Ramsay Fund
Accession Number
51.158
Frequent Art Questions
Can you tell me a bit about these two chairs?
The goal of this installation is to showcase how European conceptions of chair have influenced and are influenced by African and non-Western seat design. As well as the cross cultural importance implied by sitting in a chair. Often times you'll see only the most important person in a room gets to sit in a chair -- to the left you'll see an American example and to the right you'll see an Asante example.For the Asante , chairs and stools play a key role in stately regalia. Based on European furniture forms this type of chair represents the stability and commitment of a chief or king. The two finials on the top rear of the char are thought to represent an eagle’s talons and further reference to power of the seated individual. I personally love the highly ornamental use of the brass tacks. Kings and court officials had to sit in a highly prescribed symmetrical pose to embody stately grace and composure.As you may have read on the label the American Wainscot Chair was intended for the most important person in the house -- and also took comfort second to the appearance of power and grace.
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