Side Chair
1800–1810
Medium
Mahogany, maple, tulip poplar, cane
Dimensions
Dimensions unavailable
Classification
Side Chair
Culture
American
Department
The American Wing
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Purchase, Mrs. Paul Moore Gift, by exchange, 1974
Accession Number
1974.102.2
Art Historical Context
This elegant side chair, crafted between 1800 and 1810 by the Finlay brothers of Baltimore, exemplifies the refined craftsmanship of early American furniture making. Hugh and John Finlay, skilled cabinetmakers active in the young republic, combined rich mahogany with, tulip poplar and woven cane to a piece that balances durability with graceful proportions. The use of multiple native and imported woods highlights the resourceful techniques of Federal-era artisans, who adapted European design traditions to local materials and tastes. As part of the Metropolitan Museum’s American Wing, the chai...
About the Artist
Hugh Finlay|John Finlay ( |American) · 1796 |1797 –1833 |1837
active ca. 1799–1833|active ca. 1800–37