very straight, tall back; seat moulded to resemble padded buttoned seat; elaborate geometric and geometricized organic openwork back rest; two twisted leg supports; geometric rondel design around edge of seat; brown coppery patina

Side chair, c. 1870

Not on Viewexpand_more

Christopher Dresser, a trained botanist who became one of the first industrial designers in Britain, promoted innovative design available to many social classes through inexpensive, mass-produced objects. The stylized palms and thistles on the back of the chair also appear on the cast-iron coatstand that Dresser designed for Coalbrookdale Company. The trompe l'oeil (fool the eye) tufted seat is recorded on an 1868 design registered by the Masborough Stove Grate Company in England. The spiral turnings on the back stiles and legs, crocket finials, and geometric patterns suggest an assortment of Elizabethan, Gothic, and Renaissance revival motifs in vogue in both America and Europe during the 1860s and 1870s.

Details
Title
Side chair
Artist Life
1834-1904
Role
Designer
Accession Number
2004.236.113
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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very straight, tall back; seat moulded to resemble padded buttoned seat; elaborate geometric and geometricized organic openwork back rest; two twisted leg supports; geometric rondel design around edge of seat; brown coppery patina