Armchair 1791 - 1818

This Armchair was crafted by Duncan Phyfe, a master cabinetmaker, during the American Federal period. Notice the chair’s curves and the paw feet, symbols with roots stretching back to antiquity. The curve, an emblem of continuity and flow, echoes in the legs, arms, and back, reminiscent of the Greek Klismos chair. Below, the paw feet, often associated with lions, suggest strength and regal authority, a motif popularized in ancient Egypt and Rome. We see it repeated on thrones and royal seats throughout history. These symbols tell a silent story: a yearning for classical ideals mixed with a desire for stability and order. This chair represents a psychological grounding, embodying the sitter in power. This neoclassical form, combined with culturally loaded symbols, reveals the enduring human desire for comfort and status. Ultimately, the armchair is not merely a seat but a cultural artifact, echoing the symbolic language of ages past.