Armchair 1817 - 1820

This armchair was made by Thomas Ash, a New York craftsman, sometime around the turn of the 19th century. Ash worked in the Neoclassical style, which gained popularity as the United States began to define its own national identity. The chair is a subtle but revealing illustration of class and commerce in the early Republic. Though seemingly simple, the design relies on expensive imported mahogany from the Caribbean, while the straw seat hints at a tension between refinement and rural, homegrown materials. Ornamentation like painted swags and paterae evoke classical forms associated with wealth and status, while also demonstrating Ash's meticulous craftsmanship. Objects like this invite us to examine the institutions of craft and trade that shaped early American society. We can deepen our understanding through merchant account books, period inventories, and pattern books, allowing us to trace the movement of materials and ideas that gave shape to the young nation.