Shield-Back Armchair (one of a pair) c. 1790

Editor: This is a Shield-Back Armchair, attributed to George Seddon, Sons, & Shackleton. I’m struck by how this everyday object is elevated to an art form. What kind of commentary do you think this piece makes? Curator: It’s fascinating to consider how seemingly functional objects embed social power. Who was meant to sit here, and what did that signify in the broader economic and political landscape? Think about labor, class, and the performance of gentility. Editor: So, the chair isn’t just a chair, but a symbol? Curator: Precisely. How does its design reinforce existing hierarchies, and perhaps even subtly subvert them? What does it tell us about the values of its time? Editor: I never considered furniture having such a voice. Thanks for opening my eyes! Curator: And thank you for asking such thoughtful questions! It's a good reminder to examine everything critically.