Side Chair 1792 - 1795

This side chair was created in the early 19th century by Thomas Howard Jr., a furniture maker working in an era defined by shifts in social structure and taste. The chair embodies the Neoclassical style, which mirrored the aristocratic tastes in a newly democratic nation. Consider the mahogany used in the frame, the shield back with the stylized leaf carvings, and the patterned fabric of the seat. These elements speak of the luxury afforded to certain classes, during a period where industrialization began reshaping the American economy. The labor and resources required to produce such a piece contrasts sharply with the lives of enslaved people and the working class. Although Howard did not leave written statements, the chair stands as a testament to his craftsmanship and the complex social dynamics of his time. It invites us to reflect on the material culture of early America, and the disparities in lived experience reflected in this object.