Armchair

About this artwork

The English designer, architect, and writer Owen Jones (1809–1874) introduced non-Western decorative styles into mid-19th-century England with the publication of his influential Grammar of Ornament in 1856. This encyclopedia of decorative motifs through history and across cultures was lavishly illustrated with color plates and influenced the work of many designers in the second half of the 19th century. In his early twenties, Jones traveled to Turkey, Egypt and Spain to study Islamic architectu...

Art Historical Context

This elegant armchair, crafted by Owen Carter Jones around 1867–, exemplifies the refined tastes mid-nineteenth-century European furniture design. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Applied Arts of Europe department, the piece measures just under a meter in height and combines function with decorative sophistication. Its classification as seating underscores how such objects served both daily comfort and artistic expression during the Victorian era. The chair’s rich materials—mahogany accented with purpleheart, ebony, harewood, holly, and brass—reveal a masterful approach to marquetry and inlay work. Contrasting wood tones create subtle patterns and highlights, while brass fittings add a touch of refined ornament. These choices reflect the period’s fascination with exotic timbers and precise craftsmanship, transforming a practical seat into a statement of elegance and technical skill. As a work of applied art, the armchair invites visitors to appreciate how furniture design bridged art and industry in the late 1860s. Its thoughtful proportions and material harmony continue to speak to the enduring appeal of well-made pieces that elevate everyday living.