Armchair c. 1700

This armchair was made by an anonymous creator using carved wood and woven cane. The chair’s ornately carved frame contrasts beautifully with the woven cane seat and back. The wood, likely a hardwood like walnut or mahogany, shows the hand of a skilled artisan, who has shaped its sturdy form with decorative flourishes. But it's the cane weaving that really speaks of the labor involved. Each strand is meticulously interlaced to create a surface that's both supportive and breathable, a technique that has been practiced for centuries across many cultures. This juxtaposition of carved wood and woven cane highlights a moment in history when furniture making was both a craft and a marker of status. The materials, processes, and level of detail speak to the social context in which it was made, a world where skilled labor and access to fine materials were highly valued. Appreciating how things are made allows us to understand their cultural importance, and to challenge traditional notions of art and craft.