Side chair 1805 - 1825

This side chair was made in the United States by Samuel Gragg, probably around 1800, using bent wood and paint. Its appeal lies in its deceptively simple form; steam-bent beechwood strips fashion a continuous frame, displaying technical ingenuity. Looking closely, we see visual cues of classical Greek ‘klismos’ chairs adapted for a new republic. The painted surface imitates bamboo, a fashionable exotic material for the period. But beyond mere style, the chair signifies burgeoning American manufacturing. Gragg patented the process for mass-producing these chairs, making them accessible to a wider market. This democratization of design embodies early American ideals of egalitarianism, contrasting sharply with the elite European workshops. Understanding this chair requires delving into trade records, patent documents, and period advertisements. By situating the chair within its historical context, we appreciate how it embodies the social and economic aspirations of a new nation, beyond its function as mere furniture.