Armchair
Unknown Artist
ca. 1710
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...