Full of wit and surprise, this book presents 19 chairs acquired by the Yale University Art Gallery over the course of the last 12 years for public seating in the galleries. Selections range from traditional benches and stools to such elaborate creations as Alphonse Mattia’s Golden Banana Valet Chair (1988), Judy Kensley McKie’s Alligator Bench (1993), and John Cederquist’s Revenge of the Deconstructionist Saw Chair (1994). Making innovative use of materials and playing freely with the conventions of gallery seating, the designers add new dimensions to the museum experience. The catalogue includes an essay by Kari M. Main, as well as biographies of each craftsperson.