Armchair
1819–20
Medium
Mahogany, ash, maple, gilded wood and vert antique with French silk tapestry upholstery
Dimensions
37 3/4 x 21 1/2 x 27 3/4 in. (95.9 x 54.6 x 70.5 cm)
Classification
Armchair
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Bernard, Dean and Frank Levy, in honor of the Levy family's 100th Anniversary in the field of American Antiques, 2001
Accession Number
2001.66
Art Historical Context
This elegant armchair, crafted by American artisan John Banks between 1819 and 1820, stands as a fine example of early nineteenth-century furniture from the young United States. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s American Wing, the piece reflects the period’s growing confidence in domestic design, blending sturdy local craftsmanship with refined international tastes. Its proportions and detailing suggest it was intended for a prosperous household seeking both comfort and status. The chair’s construction highlights skilled woodworking traditions of the era. Banks combined rich mahogany...