Armchair (one of a pair)

Unknown Artist

ca. 1689–1702

Armchair (one of a pair) by Unknown Artist

Medium

Walnut, cane

Dimensions

Each: 51 × 27 × 23 in. (129.5 × 68.6 × 58.4 cm)

Classification

Woodwork-Furniture

Culture

British

Department

European Sculpture and Decorative Arts

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913

Accession Number

14.40.778

Art Historical Context

This elegant pair of armchairs, in Britain around 1689–1702, exemplifies the refined furniture of the late 17th early 18th centuries. Standing at over four feet tall, each chair features a generous proportions suited for formal interiors, reflecting the growing comfort and status symbolism in English homes during this transitional period. Though the maker remains unknown, such pieces were likely produced by skilled London cabinetmakers catering to the emerging middle and upper classes. The chairs are masterfully constructed from walnut—a dense, beautifully grained hardwood prized for its dura...

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