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American Chair

Figure 88 Spindle-back armchair, 1660-1700;
artist: Unknown American;
Maple, soft maple, and ash, 41 3/4 x 23 x 18 in. (106 x 58.4 x 45.7 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), Bequest of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1951, 52.77.49 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.

Object/Work🔺

  • Catalog Level:🔺 item (value type: controlled list)
  • Type:🔺 armchair (value type: authority)

Classification🔺

  • Terms:🔺
    decorative arts
    furniture
    American art (value type: controlled list)

Titles or Names🔺

  • Text:🔺 Spindle-back armchair (value type: free text)
    Preference: preferred (value type: controlled list)
    Type: repository

Creation🔺

  • Creator Description:🔺 unknown American (value type: free text)

  • Identity:🔺 unknown American
    Role:🔺 artist (_value type: authority)

  • Creation Date:🔺 1660-1700 (value type: free text)
    Earliest:🔺 1660 Latest:🔺 1700 (value type: controlled format)

Style/Period/Group/Movemedt

  • Indexing Terms: Turned chair (value type: authority)

Measurements🔺

  • Dimensions Description:🔺 106 x 58.4 x 45.7 cm (41 3/4 x 23 x 18 in.) (value type: free text)

  • Value: 106 Unit: cm Type: height
    Value: 58.4 Unit: cm Type: width
    Value: 45.7 Unit: cm Type: depth (value type: controlled format and controlled lists)

Materials and Techniques🔺

  • Description:🔺 Maple, soft maple, ash(value type: free text)

  • Material Names:
    maple
    ash (value type: authority)

Physical Description

  • Indexing Terms:
    turned chair
    posts
    turnings (value: authority)

Subject Matter🔺

  • Indexing Terms:🔺
    object (utilitarian)
    turners
    turned chair (value type: authority)

Descriptive Note

  • Text: This chair, likely produced by a turner, is unique in that it is one of a minority of turned chairs from the 17th-century to be adorned with posts below the seat. The chair is also ornamented with turnings on both the front and back, which is a similarly rare feature for turner chairs constructed from this period.
    (value type: free text)

  • Citation: Met Collection online (value type: authority)
    Page: accessed 16 July 2024 (value type: free text)

Current Location🔺

  • Repository Name/Geographic Location:🔺 The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York, United States) (value type: authority)
    Repository Numbers:🔺 52.77.49 (value type: free text)

NOTE: 🔺 indicates a core CDWA category.

Revised 26 August 2024
by Emily Benoff

Figure 88 Spindle-back armchair, 1660-1700;
artist: Unknown American;
Maple, soft maple, and ash, 41 3/4 x 23 x 18 in. (106 x 58.4 x 45.7 cm);
The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York, New York), Bequest of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1951, 52.77.49 © The Metropolitan Museum of Art. All Rights Reserved.