Masonic Armchair

Unknown

1775–90 · Painted mahogany, maple · The American Wing

The seat and legs of this example are typical of the best Boston Rococo chairs, but the back is unusual. It is made up of Masonic symbols: fluted columns (referring to King Solomon’s temple), a rusticated arch (arch of heaven), a compass and square (faith and reason), a mason’s level (equality), a serpent swallowing its tail (rebirth), and a trowel (cement of brotherly love). The chair was probably made for the senior warden of an as-yet-unidentified Massachusetts lodge.

Artist

Unknown

Date

1775–90

Medium

Painted mahogany, maple

Culture

American

Department

The American Wing

Credit line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. George M. Kaufman, 2000