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Armchair, upholstered
about 1850–60
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/Technique
Walnut, black ash
Dimensions
Overall: 91.8 x 72.7 x 78.7 cm (36 1/8 x 28 5/8 x 31 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Nancy G. Myers and Lawrence Coolidge
Accession Number1993.948
NOT ON VIEW
CollectionsAmericas
ClassificationsFurniture – Seating and beds
DescriptionLarge armchair with upholstered back, sides, and slip-seat; rear stiles carved with overlapping waterleaves; padded, upholstered arms terminate in carved reverse C-scrolls decorated with acanthus carving; front rail carved with a central floral ornament and rope spiral twist carving; sides decorated with carved scrolls and bellflowers; four scrolled legs terminate in paw feet fitted with brass swivel casters; reupholstered in blue rep material based on fragment of surviving original show cover.
InscriptionsOn top of front seat rail: a large asterisk symbol.
ProvenanceAlthough its original owner is not known with precision, the chair was part of the furnishings of 85 Mount Vernon Street (the second Harrison Gray Otis House, built in 1802) in Boston. The house was occupied by members of the Gibbs family beginning in 1810 and including the unmarried Sarah Gibbs, who lived there until 1845; then by Samuel Hooper until 1853; then by three unmarried sisters (Mary, Elizabeth, and Sarah Pickering Pratt) from 1853 to 1881; then by Philip H. Sears and his wife, Sarah Pratt Lyman Sears, from 1882 to 1911; then by their unmarried daughter, Evelyn G. Sears, who lived in the house until May 1967, when the house was acquired by the donors; given to the Museum in 1993 (Accession Date: January 26, 1994)