ticketsMember | Make a donation

Side Chair

Designer Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis American
Possibly by Burns and Brother American
ca. 1857
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 736
Alexander Jackson Davis, one of the preeminent architects of nineteenth-century America, worked in a range of revival styles. Unlike most architects of the time, he occasionally supplied furniture designs to select clients. This animated chair, which appears ready to spring from its diminutive hoof feet, is a version of a design he made for John J. Herrick, the owner of a castellated villa designed by Davis that once stood in Tarrytown, New York. Davis’s elegant chair artfully suggests and adapts the Gothic style, which was meant to convey the values of intellect, learned contemplation, and sophistication.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Side Chair
  • Designer: Designed by Alexander Jackson Davis (American, New York 1803–1892 West Orange, New Jersey)
  • Maker: Possibly by Burns and Brother
  • Date: ca. 1857
  • Geography: Made in New York, New York, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Black walnut, modern upholstery
  • Dimensions: 39 5/8 x 18 1/2 x 18 in. (100.6 x 47 x 45.7 cm)
  • Credit Line: Gift of Jane B. Davies, in memory of Lyn Davies, 1995
  • Object Number: 1995.111
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

More Artwork

More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Design for a "Moresco" Villa (elevation and plan)
Alexander Jackson Davis
1835–92
Design for a Turkish Villa (front elevation and two plans)
Alexander Jackson Davis
1835–92
Project for an Oriental School House (elevation and plan)
Alexander Jackson Davis
1835–92
Library and Chapel, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (front elevation), Alexander Jackson Davis American, Watercolor, ink and graphite on paper
Library and Chapel, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (front elevation)
Alexander Jackson Davis
1838–39
The Patent Office, Washington D. C., third project (plan and elevation)
Alexander Jackson Davis
1834

Related Content

Timeline of Art History

Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.

Publications

Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.

Research Resources

The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.

To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.

Feedback

We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.