Hepplewhite side chair c. 1795

This Hepplewhite side chair, crafted by Stephen Badlam circa 1795, showcases the elegance and refinement of late 18th-century American furniture. The chair’s distinctive shield-shaped back, a signature element of Hepplewhite style, features delicate, radiating splats and elegant, tapered legs. This chair, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, reflects the high quality of craftsmanship associated with Badlam, a prominent Boston cabinetmaker, and exemplifies the enduring influence of the Hepplewhite design aesthetic.