Side chair (sgabello, pair with 1975.1.2037)

Art Historical Context

This elegant *sgabello*, or side chair, from Italy's Robert Lehman Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, exemplifies the enduring tradition of carved walnut furniture. Standing at 101.6 cm high, with a narrow 34.3 cm width 35.6 cm depth, it was designed for intimate settings, perhaps beside a scholar's desk or in a Renaissance studiolo. Part of a pair (with 1975.1.2037), its form recalls high-status seating from Italy's Renaissance era, blending utility with artistry. Dated possibly to the 19th or early 20th century, the chair incorporates reused footboards likely from the 16th or 17th century, a common practice in Italian woodworking that highlights resourcefulness and continuity across generations. Carved walnut, prized for its rich grain and workability, allowed artisans to create intricate reliefs, including motifs of male nudes that evoke classical antiquity and the humanistic ideals of the Renaissance. These carvings not only showcase masterful techniques in low-relief sculpture but also reflect Italy's cultural reverence for the male form, drawing from Greco-Roman heritage. As a piece of woodwork-furniture, it offers a window into evolving tastes, where historic elements were repurposed to honor the past while serving modern needs.