Roycroft Shops
Chair

Public Domain

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MakerMade by the Roycroft Shops (American, 1895–1938)American, 1895–1938

CultureAmerican

Titles

Chair

Datec. 1905–1912

PlaceEast Aurora, New York, United States

MediumOak

DimensionsOverall: 46 1/2 × 18 1/2 × 18 3/4 in. (118.1 × 47 × 47.6 cm)

Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Alice Pratt Brown Museum Fund

Object number91.1926

Not on view

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Department

Decorative Arts, Craft, and Design

Object Type

FURNITURE

DescriptionEmbellished with only the name of its makers, Roycroft, this oak chair has the straightforward construction, pegged joinery, and austerity that characterize American Arts and Crafts furniture. Founded by Elbert Hubbard in East Aurora, New York, Roycroft was a utopian community of artists and craftspeople. Its philosophy was strongly influenced by a similar movement being led by William Morris in England. As with Morris, the Roycrofters believed that art and craftsmanship could be instruments to reform society. Unusual for a reformer, Hubbard was also a good businessman and created a successful brand for the community. All Roycroft products were stamped either with the Roycroft name or its insignia: a cross and orb copied from a medieval bookbinder.
Provenance[Cathers & Dembrosky, New York]; purchased by MFAH, 1991.

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

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