Chair, Side
Chair, Side
Chair, Side

Chair, Side

Object number74.64
Datec. 1830
MediumWood; Rush
Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. James A. Drain
DescriptionSide chair, classical overall form with scrolling stiles and horizontal double C-scroll splat. Rectangular rush seat on sabre legs. The entire piece faux-grained to look like rosewood with gold decoration at bell flowers and leafage. Brass laurel wreathe on crestrail, brass sphinx/griffin "Klismos"-Egyptian on splat and brass interlocking. Four circles inside cartouche on front seat rail. Dowel construction throughout.Dimensions32 x 20 x 19 in. (81.3 x 50.8 x 48.3 cm)
MarksScratched underneath: "BELONGED / TO / MARY SCHENLEY / REST / AT / UN. OF PITT."
Label TextIn the mid-1830s, William Croghan, Jr., built Picnic House, a fine Greek Revival mansion in what is now Stanton Heights. He naturally purchased elegant furniture for it. This chair is part of a larger suite that furnished one of his rooms. The sumptuous painted decoration and the cast brass sphinx on the splat allude to classical Greek and Egyptian design, while the overall shape of the chair relies on the ancient Greek klismos. Croghan may have ordered the chairs from one of the large eastern cities or perhaps from a local furniture wareroom or fancy chair maker.
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