Armchair
ca. 1835
Medium
Rosewood
Dimensions
33 1/4 x 24 x 20 in. (84.5 x 61 x 50.8 cm)
Classification
Armchair
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1969
Accession Number
69.175
Art Historical Context
This delicate octagonal plate, titled *Achthoekig bord met eenstelling van Shiba On en bloemranken exemplifies the exquisite craftsmanship of anonymous artisans around 1690–1710. Measuring just 4.7 cm in height and 25.5 cm in, it was created using the "turning" technique—lathe work that shapes wood, ivory, or similar materials into precise, symmetrical forms. Theagonal shape adds an elegant geometric flair, while the central depiction of Shiba Onko, surrounded by lush flower garlands, blends figurative narrative with floral ornamentation, evoking a sense of harmony and nature's abundance. Pro...
About the Artist
Duncan Phyfe · 1770–1854
Duncan Phyfe (1770–1854) was a Scottish-born American cabinetmaker who became the most celebrated furniture maker in the history of American decorative arts. Born Duncan Fife near Loch Fannich in the Scottish Highlands, he emigrated with his family to Albany, New York, around 1783–84, where he apprenticed to a cabinetmaker. By 1792 he had established his own workshop on Partition Street (later Ful...