Easy chair

Unknown

1715–30 · Soft maple, oak, black tupelo · The American Wing

This is an example of the earliest known type of American easy chair—a new form to emerge in Boston during the William and Mary period. It features a tall back and double scroll arms on a turned base. Easy chairs were expensive because of the costly textiles required for their upholstery and were therefore prestigious to own. With its padded back, wings, and arms and feather-filled seat cushion, the easy chair introduced a new level of seating comfort.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1715–30

Medium

Soft maple, oak, black tupelo

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1950