Side Chair 1857 - 1860

This side chair, of unknown date, was designed by Léon Marcotte, a figure known for his opulent designs during the height of the Gilded Age. Marcotte, catering to the era's elite, crafted pieces that spoke of wealth and social status, but also reveal the complexities of identity and taste during a time of rapid industrialization and social change. The chair, with its tufted upholstery and delicate frame, embodies a tension between comfort and formality. Who would have sat here, and what conversations might they have had? What identities were welcome and which excluded? Such pieces served as both a stage for social performance and a reflection of its owner's aspirations. It asks us to consider how furniture can embody power, gender, and the performance of identity, inviting us to reflect on the stories objects can tell about those who create, use, and behold them.