Armchair
c. 1815
Medium
Mahogany and upholstery
Dimensions
83.8 × 49.5 × 53.3 cm (33 × 19 1/2 × 21 in.)
Classification
seating
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
121579
Art Historical Context
This elegant armchair, crafted around 1815 by an unknown artisan, exemplifies the refined furniture of early 19th-century America. Standing at 83.8 × 49.5 × 53.3 cm, it features a sturdy mahogany frame—a tropical hardwood prized for its rich reddish-brown grain, durability, and luxurious sheen. Mahogany was a staple in high-end American cabinetmaking, often imported from the Caribbean, symbolizing prosperity amid the young nation's growing trade networks following the War of 1812. The upholstery adds a layer of comfort, inviting seated repose in parlors or studies of affluent homes. Housed in...