Armchair
Unknown Artist
1650–1700
Medium
Ash
Dimensions
45 1/2 x 22 3/4 x 22 in. (115.6 x 57.8 x 55.9 cm)
Classification
Armchair
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1909
Accession Number
10.125.677
Art Historical Context
This elegant armchair, crafted between 1650 and 1700 by an unknown American artisan, invites visitors to imagine the hearthsides of early colonial homes. Made entirely from ash—a strong, lightweight hardwood abundant in New England forests—it exemplifies the resourcefulness of 17th-century American woodworkers. At 45½ x 22¾ x 22 inches, its generous proportions suggest it was designed for comfort in spacious parlors, where families gathered amid the challenges of frontier life. Ash's fine grain and durability made it ideal for turned legs and sturdy frames, techniques honed by craftsmen adapt...