Dutch mahogany metamorphic wing-backed folding bed chair
mid-18th century
Classification
furniture
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Mrs. Abram S. Hewitt
Accession Number
1931-44-44
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Step into the ingenious world of 18th-century Dutch craftsmanship with this metamorphic wing-backed folding bed chair crafted from rich mahogany in the mid-1700s. This remarkable piece of furniture exemplifies multifunctional design, seamlessly transforming from a comfortable armchair—complete with protective wing sides for drafts—to a compact bed, perfect for the space-conscious homes of urban Europe. ogany, a prized tropical hardwood imported via colonial trade routes, underscores the era's global commerce and status symbolism in furniture making. Dutch artisans were renowned for their precise joinery and versatile innovations, blending utility with elegance during the Rococo period's lighter, more playful aesthetics. As a rare survivor of everyday domestic life, it highlights how furniture adapted to evolving lifestyles amid growing trade and urbanization. Now part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's collection, generously gifted by Mrs. Abram S. Hewitt, this chair awaits further research, inviting us to ponder the untold stories of its makers and owners. A testament to form following function, it reminds visitors of design's timeless problem-solving power.
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...