Turkish Armchairs (Set of Two)
Maker
Maker unknown
Date1850-1870
MediumWalnut with purple velvet upholstery
DimensionsOverall (60.272.1): 40 × 32 × 33in. (101.6 × 81.3 × 83.8cm)
Overall (60.272.2): 37 × 32 × 33in. (94 × 81.3 × 83.8cm)
Overall (60.272.2): 37 × 32 × 33in. (94 × 81.3 × 83.8cm)
ClassificationsFURNISHINGS
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Terms
Object number60.272.1-2
DescriptionVictorian walnut Turkish chairs upholstered in purple velvet; finger carved cabriole legs.On View
On viewCollections
Label TextThe development of coil spring seat upholstery techniques in the nineteenth century greatly increased the comfort of seating furniture. In the first half of the century, springs typically were used only in the seats of upholstered furniture. Decorum dictated that in a setting such as the parlor, one maintained prescribed deportment; one would not sit back and relax while visiting. As the century progressed, attitudes toward the use of comfortable and more casual furniture in formal settings evolved even though the formality of the room itself did not. Spring-seat overstuffed "Turkish-style" chairs and entire parlor suites became fashionable.
This is an example of an 1860s innovation, a wire frame "Turkish-style" chair. The internal metal frame, stronger than wood, allows the entire inner surface of the chair-seat, back, and arms-to contain springs for enhanced comfort. Springs also help maintain a smooth surface appearance when the chair is not in use.
The inside chair back and arms on this chair illustrated another nineteenth-century upholstery innovation called pleated tufting. Pleated tufting secures the layers of stuffing material. The tufting breaks up the upholstered surfaces into a pleasing diamond pattern. PC
