Side Chair

CultureEnglish
Titles
  • Side Chair
Datec. 1780–1800
Made inEngland
MediumMahogany; unidentified secondary woods and modern horsehair upholstery
Dimensions38 × 22 1/2 × 18 1/2 in. (96.5 × 57.2 × 47 cm)
Credit LineThe Bayou Bend Collection, bequest of Audrey Jones Beck
Object numberB.2011.2
Non exposé

Explore Further

Department
Bayou Bend
Object Type
DescriptionThus far, a published design source for this elegant side chair has not been located in any of the contemporary pattern books; however, the existence of similar examples affirm its origin in Great Britain where it was widely interpreted by a plethora of furniture making shops. Actually, its popularity was even more widespread, extending across the Atlantic to Britain's former colonies situated along the American shores. In the United States the design is most often associated with New York City, in fact one of its artisans, Elbert Anderson, incorporated it into his printed label. Examples emanating from Baltimore and Newport shops provide further evidence of its broad popularity in this country. It is the latter where the most celebrated of these renditions heralds from, a unique set of four labeled by the famed Newport craftsman John Townsend (1732/331809). Two of these iconic chairs are at Bayou Bend, whereas the others are at Winterthur and in a private collection.
Provenance Research Ongoing Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
No visible signature, marks, or inscriptions.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Pair of Side Chairs
c. 1858
Rosewood; unidentified secondary woods and modern show cover
B.2011.20.1,.2
Card Table
c. 1790–1820
Mahogany; unidentified secondary woods
B.2011.9
Card Table
c. 1800–1820
Mahogany; unidentified inlays and secondary woods
B.2004.44
Looking Glass
c. 1750–1820
Mahogany veneer, unidentified secondary woods, gold leaf, and mirrored glass
B.2012.205
Side Chair
c. 1670–1700
Cherry and unidentified secondary woods
B.97.6
Side Chair
Joseph Meeks & Sons
c. 1850–1865
Rosewood; unidentified secondary woods
B.2002.4.3
Armchair
Joseph Meeks & Sons
c. 1850–1865
Rosewood; unidentified secondary woods
B.2002.4.2
Sofa
Joseph Meeks & Sons
c. 1850–1865
Rosewood; unidentified secondary woods
B.2002.4.1
Armchair
c. 1779
Beech; various secondary woods, gilding, and upholstery (not original)
96.1079
Commode
c. 1770
Walnut veneer; marquetry of tulipwood, elm, rosewood, and calamander; secondary woods: mahogany, red pine group, spruce, white oak group; and ormolu
96.1238
Commode
Vile & Cobb
c. 1762
Mahogany; various secondary woods, with ormolu
94.892
Pair of Side Chairs
c. 1840–1850
Rosewood; unidentified woods
B.2000.28.3,.4