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There is hardly a straight line in the armchair: its legs, seat, arms, and back are composed of curving and overlapping lines that bring the design to life. Carved shells and leafy tendrils further enrich the imported mahogany to create a masterpiece of the rococo style, which was the height of fashion in England around 1750. No maker of this chair has been identified, nor does its distinctive back match a design published in one of the leading pattern books of the day. This suggests it may be the work of a talented but possibly provincial master craftsman who preferred to create his own design rather than reproduce one.
Requires Photography
Armchair
English
about 1765
Medium/Technique
Mahogany
Dimensions
Overall: 61 × 21 × 35.5 cm (24 × 8 1/4 × 14 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Horace Wood Brock
Accession Number2020.497
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsFurniture – Seating and beds
There is hardly a straight line in the armchair: its legs, seat, arms, and back are composed of curving and overlapping lines that bring the design to life. Carved shells and leafy tendrils further enrich the imported mahogany to create a masterpiece of the rococo style, which was the height of fashion in England around 1750. No maker of this chair has been identified, nor does its distinctive back match a design published in one of the leading pattern books of the day. This suggests it may be the work of a talented but possibly provincial master craftsman who preferred to create his own design rather than reproduce one.
DescriptionChair with serpentine shaped head-rail above a pierced splat with out-swept arms and standing on carved cabriole legs. The head-rail carved with foliage and rockwork above the splat which is formed from carved scrolling foliage. The serpentine seat-rail similarly carved and supported by cabriole legs, with carved knees protruding upwards into the seat, and terminating in French scroll feet.
ProvenanceBy 2011, Apter-Fredericks (dealer), London; about 2011, sold by Apter-Fredericks to Horace Wood Brock, Gloucester, MA; 2020, gift of Horace Wood Brock to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 16, 2020)