Armchair

Datecirca 1917

Mediumbeech wood, painted, and flat-weave tapestry upholstery, metal

DimensionsOverall: 37 1/8 × 26 × 25 1/2 in. (94.3 × 66 × 64.8 cm)

Credit LineReynolda Estate

CopyrightPublic Domain

Object number1922.2.138

DescriptionOne of a pair of decoratively carved beech wood armchairs (fauteuils) that has been painted ivory with green striping. The fluted oval back with foliate crest holds the terminals of the scrolled out-flaring arms with fluting on arms and anthemion foliate decoration on the front supports with rosettes marking the joint between arms and supports. The chair rails are shaped and fluted with a small horizontal panel of drapery in a rectangle in the center of the front rail. The legs are likewise fluted, topped by anthemion capitals and tapering towards the feet, reminiscent of the Federal style demonstrated by the furniture of New York furniture maker Duncan Phyfe. The seat, upholstered over the rail, and back are covered with flat-woven tapestry panels showing polychrome flowers in containers centered in each panel surrounded by green and white fleurs detaché.

The light elegance of these chairs indicates a lady's choice that incorporates historical details with an interest in horticulture.

The chairs were probably made in the United States, but the maker remains unidentified.

ProvenanceFrom 1964
Reynolda House Museum of American Art, Winston-Salem, NC, acquired in 1964. [1]

Notes:
[1] In the early 1960s Charles H. Babcock (1899-1967) gave the house and its contents to the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. The house was then incorporated as a museum and collection (Reynolda House, Inc.) on December 18, 1964 with the signing of the charter at its first board meeting. The museum first opened to the public in September 1965.

Status

On view

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