Armchair

Unknown Artist

ca. 1710

Armchair by Unknown Artist

Medium

Walnut; oak and walnut veneer

Dimensions

Overall: 36 1/2 × 22 1/2 × 16 1/2 in. (92.7 × 57.2 × 41.9 cm)

Classification

Woodwork-Furniture

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Irwin Untermyer, 1964

Accession Number

64.101.919

Art Historical Context

This elegant armchair, crafted around 1710 in Britain, the refined furniture of the early 18th century, a time when walnut became the wood of choice for its rich grain and lustrous finish. Made primarily of walnut with oak and walnut veneer, it showcases veneering techniques—thin sheets of decorative wood glued to a sturdy core—that allowed artisans to create intricate patterns and enhance durability while highlighting the wood's natural beauty. Standing at 36½ inches tall, its proportions reflect the shift toward comfortable, domestically oriented seating in British homes during the Queen Ann...

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