High-Back Windsor Chair c. 1760

This high-back Windsor chair was made by an anonymous artisan, and offers a seat into the world of early American craftsmanship and design. The Windsor chair, developed in the 18th century, became a ubiquitous object, gracing homes across different social strata, from modest dwellings to more affluent spaces. The chair presents us with questions about the lives of its users and makers, the experience of sitting, resting, negotiating social spaces and expectations. As we look at this chair we might consider who was welcome to sit here? Who made it? And what labour was involved in the making? Reflecting on the chair’s design, we can appreciate the skill required to manipulate wood in ways that were both functional and visually pleasing. The chair presents a complex web of cultural, social, and personal histories. It reflects the convergence of design innovation, social hierarchies, and individual experiences that have shaped the history of American material culture.