Armchair 1850 - 1860

This armchair, currently residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, was crafted by John Henry Belter in the mid-19th century. During this period, the decorative arts flourished alongside industrial innovation, leading to new techniques in furniture making. Belter's elaborate designs, often featuring floral motifs and curvilinear forms, were made possible through his patented method of layering and steam-bending rosewood. This allowed for intricate carvings and a sense of opulence that catered to the tastes of the burgeoning middle class. However, the labor behind these pieces often went unnoticed. The labor was typically done by immigrant artisans working in Belter's New York workshop. The armchair’s ornate style reflects the Victorian era's emphasis on elaborate aesthetics. It’s a period marked by social stratification and the pursuit of status through material possessions. The chair, then, becomes more than just a functional object. It reflects the complex interplay of artistry, industrialization, and the social hierarchies of its time. It prompts us to consider the lives of those who created and consumed such objects.