Side Chair 1742 - 1790

Editor: This is a Side Chair, dating from between 1742 and 1790. It's currently at the Art Institute of Chicago, but the artist is unknown. The craftsmanship is really intricate; it's made of wood, and the details are quite fascinating. I must admit, there is an old, distinguished feel that almost speaks of whispered stories, like I'm looking at a time capsule. How do you interpret this piece? Curator: "Time capsule" – I like that. The baroque flourish and the material’s quiet resilience speak volumes, don't they? Look at those cabriole legs terminating in ball-and-claw feet – pure rococo indulgence! I can almost hear the rustle of silk gowns and the hushed tones of 18th-century parlors. It feels grounded, rooted, as if it has borne witness to eras, tastes, loves, and lives. I feel this chair holds not only physical weight but also a weight of secrets… Or do you sense something else entirely? Editor: The "weight of secrets" definitely resonates, particularly with that upholstered seat! It almost invites you to sit and become part of those whispered stories yourself. Though, I have to wonder, what sort of story does this tell beyond its beauty and craftsmanship? Curator: Ah, yes. But what if it's less about specific stories and more about a feeling, an echo? What was it like to sit on that chair? It whispers to me that even the most elaborate object, a material object designed to display wealth and status, is ultimately a tool of support. It tells of an era, a yearning for elegance, but also perhaps a touch of the performative. In what story do you wish to sit in it? Editor: I like that. Looking at it from the viewpoint of those long-gone sitters offers so many new interpretations. I never considered it from that angle! Thank you. Curator: My pleasure. It's funny how objects, like us, shift and shimmer with perspective. Isn't it wonderful how furniture can tell so many silent stories if you allow yourself to listen with the heart?