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Armchair with shield-shaped upholstered back; arm supports and legs have stop fluted decoration.
armchairs
chairs (furniture forms)
mahogany (wood)
ash (wood)
upholstery
Federal
Chair
Armchair
Armchair
In "Cherished Possessions": These chairs, with their original underupholstery, are part of a set made for Theodore Lyman's country estate in Waltham, Massachusetts. These were cutting-edge pieces, not just in the latest taste, but in the latest French taste. Given that Boston, Massachusetts, had excellent furniture makers, it is at first surprising that Lyman would purchase a set of chairs from Philadelphia. But as the home of the Federal government at the end of the eighteenth century, Philadelphia was the social and cultural capital of the nation, and the place to which residents of other regions turned for the latest fashions.
Highlights of the furniture collection: This chair, part of a set made for Theodore Lyman's country estate in Waltham, Massachusetts, was a cutting-edge piece, not just in the latest taste, but in the latest French taste. It may be surprising that Lyman would purchase a set of chairs from Philadelphia. But as the home of the Federal government at the end of the eighteenth century, Philadelphia was the social and cultural capital of the nation, and the place to which residents of other regions turned for the latest fashions.
Lyman, Theodore, 1753-1839
Original To Lyman Estate (Waltham, Mass.),
Probably Hains, Adam, 1768-1820 + (Furniture worker)
Possibly Bertault, George, 1793 (Upholsterer)
Philadelphia, PA, USA
33 3/4 x 23 1/4 x 19 1/4 (HxWxD) (inches)
Gift of the children of Arthur and Susan Cabot Lyman
1966.121
Pennsylvania (United States)
Philadelphia (Philadelphia county, Pennsylvania)
Title Settee Accession Number 1966.116.1
Title Settee Accession Number 1966.117
Title Armchair Accession Number 1966.119
Title Armchair Accession Number 1966.120
Title Armchair Accession Number 1966.122
Title Armchair Accession Number 1966.123
Title Armchair Accession Number 1967.128
Title Armchair Accession Number 1967.129
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