Strapwork-back Chippendale side chair c. 1760 - 1770

This Strapwork-back Chippendale side chair, of unknown date and maker, resides here at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It is a relic of the 18th century, when high society saw the rise of furniture as a signifier of wealth and status. But who sat in this chair? Who was allowed to? Undoubtedly, it was made possible through the exploitation of enslaved labor. The chair’s very existence is tied to a system of oppression and power dynamics deeply embedded in the socio-political landscape of its time. The ornate details, such as the ball-and-claw feet, speak to a desire for refinement, echoing a story of privilege and exclusion. Think about the emotional weight of such an object. Does it evoke a sense of admiration for the craftsmanship, or a discomfort with the history it represents? Consider how it serves not just as a functional object, but as a symbol of the complexities of history, class, and identity, silently narrating tales of a world long gone, yet still very present.