Side Chair
1877–85
Medium
Ebonized cherry, various inlaid woods, and upholstery
Dimensions
95.9 × 43.6 × 42.5 cm (37 3/4 × 17 3/8 × 16 3/4 in.)
Classification
seating
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
45003
Art Historical Context
Step into the lavish world of Gilded Age with this exquisite side chair by Herter Brothers, crafted between 1877 and1885. Measuring 95.9 × 43.6 × 42.5 cm, it features ebonized cherry—a cherry wood stained to a sleek, ebony-like sheen—for a sophisticated, modern contrast to its plush upholstery. Delicate inlays of various add intricate geometric or floral patterns, showcasing the firm's mastery of mixed-media decoration. Herter Brothers, a premier New York cabinetmaking firm founded by German immigrant brothers Gustav and Christian Herter, catered to America's wealthiest families, including th...