1988.B.70, Armchair, Massachusetts or New Hampshire, c. 1740-1760

This armchair embodies the hierarchy of family life in colonial British America. The head of the family would often sit in such a large, elaborate chair, while his wife might have a more modest version, and his children would sit on benches or stools. Although this chair has a rush seat, rather than expensive leather or fabric, its carved crest rail and feet and turned front legs and stretcher indicate this chair was made for a prosperous individual and not for the average colonist.

DMA unpublished material.

1970s:  purchased in Houston, Texas

1970s-1985: The Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee Collection, Houston, Texas

From 1985: Collection of the Dallas Museum of Art, purchased from Faith P. and Charles L. Bybee

The main source for this provenance is Charles L. Venable, American Furniture in the Bybee Collection, (Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, published in association with the Dallas Museum of Art, 1989), 38-39.

Apply to objects where number equals 1988.B.70