Side Chair 1815 - 1820

This side chair was made by John Finlay during the early 19th century. It is adorned with classical motifs that speak volumes about the cultural aspirations of its time. Observe the anthemion and palmette patterns decorating the legs of the chair, and the winged figures holding what appears to be a funerary urn at the top. The anthemion, derived from the Greek honeysuckle, symbolizes renewed life and regeneration, recalling its use in ancient Greek grave decorations. The urn itself, often seen in Roman and Greek art, evokes memory, loss, and remembrance of the deceased. These symbols carry an emotional resonance that bridges millennia. We see similar motifs in Renaissance paintings and even echoed in modern-day memorials, demonstrating the cyclical nature of human expression and our enduring need to process grief and celebrate life. Finlay uses these icons to imbue a simple domestic object with layers of meaning, connecting it to a vast historical and emotional landscape.