Who created "Side Chair"?

Side Chair was created by John Henry Belter|J. H. Belter & Co. in 1850–60.

When was "Side Chair" created?

This artwork was created 1850–60.

Is "Side Chair" in the public domain?

Yes, Side Chair is in the public domain and available for free download under CC0 license.

Side Chair

John Henry Belter|J. H. Belter & Co.

1850–60

Medium

Rosewood

Dimensions

39 1/2 x 18 1/2 x 18 3/4 in. (100.3 x 47 x 47.6 cm)

Classification

Side Chair

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Museum

Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY

Credit

Gift of Mrs. Charles Reginald Leonard, in memory of Edgar Welch Leonard, Robert Jarvis Leonard, and Charles Reginald Leonard, 1957

Accession Number

57.130.5

Art Historical Context

This elegant side chair, crafted by John Henry Belter and his firm J.H. Belter & Co. around 1850–1860, exemplifies the opulence of mid-19th-century American furniture design. Made from rosewood—a dense, richly grained tropical wood imported for its durability and luxurious sheen—Belter's chairs were hallmarks of the Rococo Revival style. This movement drew inspiration from 18th-century French ornamentation, featuring exuberant curves, floral motifs, and scrolling details that evoked the grandeur of Versailles for America's burgeoning elite. Belter, a German immigrant who established his New Y...

Side Chair

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