Modern Furniture. Original and Select 1815 - 1825

James Lovegrove Holt made this print, "Modern Furniture, Original and Select," sometime between 1750 and 1900. The collection of chair designs reflects the eclectic tastes of the Victorian era, where historical styles were revived and reinterpreted. These chairs, specifically designed for the hall, speak to the Victorian emphasis on domestic life and the importance of the home as a showcase of status and taste. The Gothic Revival chairs at the bottom, with their pointed arches, reference medieval cathedrals and suggest a connection to tradition and established authority. While the chairs above evoke the ornate curves of the Rococo and Queen Anne styles. The print itself offers insight into the burgeoning design industry of the time, with pattern books like this one circulating among furniture makers and consumers, shaping the visual landscape of Victorian interiors. By examining trade publications, architectural manuals, and social commentaries, we can understand the aspirations and anxieties reflected in these artifacts of everyday life.