1985.B.37.8, James Woodward, Armchair, Norfolk, VA, 1803

The squared-off forms of the back of this chair, with its classically inspired details, mark a dramatic stylistic departure from the deeply carved, sculptural forms common to mid-18th century furniture. Cabinetmakers across the United States used pattern books to access European styles. Through such books as Thomas Sheraton's "Cabinet-Maker's and Upholsterer's Drawing Book" (1792), fashionable designs from London were readily adapted for production in the major cities of the east coast of the United States. The design reflects the remarkable similarity of forms and details that could result from such common sources of inspiration. This chair is from the Dallas Museum of Art's set of fourteen, including two armchairs and twelve side chairs (1985.B.37.6). This particular set of chairs was made in Norfolk for John Hartwell Cocke's (1780-1866) Bremo Plantation, the Fluvanna County, Virginia estate completed in 1820. Once situated in the strict, neoclassical setting of the Bremo dining room, these chairs symbolized both the economic and intellectual power of the Cocke family, just as nearby Monticello did for Thomas Jefferson. Cocke was a "gentleman farmer" and publicist, a friend of Thomas Jefferson, a progressive force in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and a Brigadier General in the War of 1812.

Kevin W. Tucker, DMA unpublished material, Label text (1985.B.37.13), 2006.

Early 19th century: James Woodward, Norfolk, Virginia

Early/mid 19th century: General and Mrs. John Hartwell Cooke, Swan's Point, Surry County and Bremo, Fluvanna County, Virginia

n.d.: Dr. and Mrs. Cary Charles Cooke, Bremo, Virginia

Until 1926: Leila B. and May B. Cooke, Bremo, Virginia

1926: sale, 18 November 1926, lot 429, Valentine Auction Company Sale, Bremo, Virginia

After 1926: Cecil Backus, Wilmington, Delaware

Mid-20th century: Ardis Leigh, Princeton, New Jersey

Until 1964: Israel Sack, Inc., New York, New York

1964-1985: 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), 77.

apply to objects where number equals 1985.B.37.8