Side chair (one of a pair) 1710 - 1720

This side chair is part of a pair made by Richard Roberts, sometime in the early 18th century, and is now held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Upholstered in verdant green velvet, the chair stands as a silent witness to the societal norms of its time. In the 1700s, a chair like this wasn't just furniture; it was a statement of power and wealth. The design speaks of a society deeply stratified by class, where even the act of sitting was imbued with social meaning. Who sat here? What conversations unfolded in its presence? The velvet whispers of aristocracy, of drawing rooms and societal expectations. Consider the labor, often unseen and unacknowledged, that went into creating such a piece. Whose hands carved the wood, and whose wove the fabric? This chair invites us to reflect on the narratives of luxury and labor that shape our world.