Settee
1815–20
Medium
Mahogany with caning and upholstery
Dimensions
90.2 × 183.3 × 58.4 cm (35 1/2 × 72 3/8 × 23 in.)
Classification
seating
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
52743
Art Historical Context
Nestled in the Arts of the Americas collection at Art Institute of Chicago, this elegant settee from 1815–20 exemplifies 19th-century American furniture craftsmanship. Crafted by unknown artist, its generous dimensions—90.2 × 183.3 × 58.4 cm—make it a welcoming centerpiece for parlors, designed for comfortable seating with supportive arms and a spacious bench-like form. Dating to the post-War of 1812 era, it reflects the young United States' embrace of neoclassical ideals, evoking the symmetry and refinement of ancient forms adapted for everyday life. The settee's mahogany frame, prized for i...