Side Chair (part of a set) c. 1885

Around 1900 to 1932, Louis Comfort Tiffany crafted this side chair, one of a set, out of wood and leather. Though Tiffany is better known for his stained glass, this chair offers an intriguing glimpse into the broader design world of the Gilded Age. It speaks to a cultural moment in the United States where industry was booming and great fortunes were being made. The wealthy were looking for ways to display their refinement and taste. While the chair's simple lines and unadorned white paint might suggest a kind of modesty, the leather seat and back, secured with decorative tacks, hint at a desire for understated luxury. In this period, many American artists and designers were turning to historical styles and to Europe for inspiration. It's likely that Tiffany was referencing earlier, vernacular forms of furniture. To truly understand this chair, we might consult period catalogues, design journals, and social histories. These sources can reveal the values, aspirations, and social dynamics that shaped not just this object, but the entire era in which it was made.