Side Chair

Unknown

1660–90 · Maple, oak · The American Wing

The great rarity of this chair lies in the original wool Turkey-work that covers its seat and back. "Turkey-work" refers to a type of woven fabric with a knotted-and-cut wool pile that was made in England in imitation of Turkish carpets. Used for chairs, cushions, and table coverings, the fabric was exported in matching sets for chairs. The joined frame of this chair was produced in Boston and upholstered there. Decorative fringe once covered the row of nails around the seat and back. Simple chair frames of this sort were also commonly upholstered in leather or plain wool fabric.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1660–90

Medium

Maple, oak

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Bequest of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1951