Chaise longue after 1878

This chaise longue was made by an anonymous artist. It is a design for a piece of furniture made of wood, textile and trimmings. The drawing gives us a clear sense of the object’s materiality. We can appreciate the smooth curves of the frame, the plush upholstery, and the intricate detailing of the fringe. This object is of course meant to be comfortable. The textiles of the chaise longue are the focus. The textile itself would have been woven on a loom, then carefully cut, stitched, and fitted to the frame. These processes are highly skilled, usually involving teams of artisans. The fringe, likely made of silk or wool, would have been produced separately and then attached by hand, adding another layer of labor to the object. The production of this chaise longue and objects like it are tied to wider social issues of labor and consumption. The making of such an object is a network of industries: from forestry to textile mills. By paying attention to how this chaise longue was made, we can begin to appreciate the social and cultural significance embedded in its very fabric.