Side Chair 1817 - 1820

This side chair was made by Thomas Ash, a craftsman active in the late 18th and early 19th century. The chair’s design reflects the Neoclassical style popular at the time, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek and Roman art and architecture. Such design choices weren't merely aesthetic. In the newly formed United States, emulating the republics of antiquity was a way of symbolically aligning the young nation with ideals of democracy, reason, and civic virtue. Simultaneously, importing European styles was a sign of wealth and wordly knowledge. Artisans like Ash played a crucial role in shaping the material culture of the early republic, mediating between elite tastes and the practical needs of everyday life. To fully understand this chair, we might delve into period pattern books and trade publications. These resources would give us a window into the design world in which Ash operated. They'd also provide insight into the social aspirations that fueled the demand for such elegant, yet functional, furnishings.