Stencilled Chair - One of Set of Six 1938

Lawrence Flynn rendered this stencilled chair as one of a set of six. Notice the stencilled fruits and flowers adorning the crest and central splat. These motifs speak of growth, abundance, and the cyclical rhythms of nature. The chair itself, an object of everyday utility, is elevated here by these symbolic embellishments. We see this impulse echoed across time, from the floral motifs on ancient Minoan pottery, symbolizing fertility and life, to the fruit-laden cornucopias in Renaissance paintings, signifying prosperity. Consider how such symbols, originally rooted in agrarian societies, evolve. The fruit, once a literal sign of harvest, becomes a metaphor for spiritual nourishment and earthly pleasures. Perhaps, subconsciously, Flynn was drawn to these timeless symbols, not just as decoration, but as a way to connect the sitter to an ancient, ongoing cycle of life and renewal. It's a subtle reminder that even in the simplest objects, deep, primal meanings can take root and flourish.