Armchair (one of a pair)
Unknown Artist
ca. 1689–1702
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...