Side Chair 1856 - 1865

This side chair was made in the mid-19th century by J. & J.W. Meeks. Notice the carved details on the crest, which are replete with naturalistic motifs. In the late 18th and 19th centuries, the revival of classical forms led to the incorporation of grapevines and leaves in furniture design. These symbols, borrowed from ancient Greece and Rome, were associated with Bacchus, the god of wine, ecstasy, and fertility. We can trace the continuous thread of the grapevine motif back through the Renaissance, where it adorned not just furniture, but also paintings and sculptures. The motif has been passed down through history, shifting in meaning from religious symbolism in ancient times to a celebration of earthly pleasures during the Renaissance and onward. Consider the Dionysian frenzy—the emotional intensity these symbols evoke, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level. It is a powerful force, reminding us of humanity's continuous search for pleasure and beauty, a pattern that perpetually resurfaces and evolves.