Stoel van witgeschilderd beukenhout 1740

This chair was made by Noël Poirié, probably in France, from beechwood, and then painted white. The carved frame is typical of furniture made for the elite in the 18th century. However, the woven cane seat and back are quite interesting. Cane is relatively inexpensive and widely available in tropical climates. The weaving of cane seats was often outsourced to craftspeople working at a lower rate than the furniture makers themselves. It was also seen as an appropriate form of labor for women and children, as it could be done at home. The contrast between the intricate, hand-carved frame and the relatively simple cane work highlights the different types of labor involved in creating even a seemingly straightforward object. The painted surface, while elegant, also obscures the material reality of the chair, blurring the lines between high art and craft. Understanding these distinctions and the processes behind them is crucial to appreciating the full complexity of this piece.