Side Chair
c. 1816
Medium
Ash, white pine, white oak, painted decoration, and upholstery
Dimensions
81.3 × 40 cm (32 × 15 3/4 in.)
Classification
seating
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
34215
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
This side chair is one of a set of 10 made for Major David Lenox’s summer home in Bristol, Pennsylvania. The painted decoration, by Philadelphia sign painter John Philip Fondé, is meant to resemble maple, reflecting the popularity of maple and satinwood Neoclassical furniture. In addition, ornamentation imitating ormolu mounts and metal inlay enhances visual interest, providing a contrast between matte and polished surfaces. The dramatic curves of the tablet back, rear saber legs, and stiles res...