Armchair of Jacoba of Bavaria c. 1560 - 1570

This ‘Armchair of Jacoba of Bavaria’ was crafted from oak by an anonymous maker. Immediately, the chair presents itself with a pronounced verticality, emphasized by the high backrest and columnar supports. The structure is articulated through geometric forms, where circles soften the rigid lines, offering a visual counterpoint. The linear carvings on the back panel draw the eye upward, contrasting with the solid planes of the seat and armrests. This tension between the vertical aspiration and the horizontal grounding gives the chair its dynamic presence. Observe how the play of light and shadow accentuates the wood's texture, underscoring its material presence. The chair destabilizes established meanings of domestic comfort by imbuing the functional object with symbolic significance. The semiotic system embedded in the chair is based on hierarchy and power. The chair’s design integrates both form and cultural expression. It transcends the utilitarian to become a symbol of its time, inviting ongoing interpretation.