Side Chair 1764 - 1774

This mahogany side chair was crafted in Philadelphia by Benjamin Randolph, a Quaker cabinetmaker active before the American Revolution. Examine the intricate carvings and elegant lines that embody the aesthetic of colonial high society, but let’s also consider the labor and materials that made such luxury possible. The mahogany itself likely came from the West Indies, part of the vast network of trade and extraction fueled by enslaved labor. While Randolph was a Quaker, a religious group with strong abolitionist sentiments, he still operated within an economy deeply entwined with slavery. Consider then how this chair reflects the complex social dynamics of the time, embodying both refinement and privilege, while existing within a system of profound inequality. Does this change how we perceive its beauty, knowing the historical context of its creation?