Side Chair Maker: Samuel Gragg (American, 1772–1855)

Patented 1808

American Decorative Arts

On view, 1st floor, American Decorative Arts before 1900

The slats that form the back and seat of this chair are individual pieces of bentwood. This novel use of bentwood gives the chair the sinuous, sweeping lines of Grecian chairs. Decorated with a peacock plume and standing on goat's feet, this fashionable chair uses innovative technology and up-to-date fashions. Samuel Gragg received a patent for the design of this "elastic chair" in 1808.

Medium

Oak, American ash, soft maple, beech

Dimensions

33 1/2 × 15 1/4 × 14 5/16 in. (85.1 × 38.7 × 36.3 cm)
seat: 17 3/8 × 17 1/2 in. (44.2 × 44.5 cm)

Credit Line

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Montgomery

Accession Number

1968.98

Geography

Made in Boston, Massachusetts

Culture

American

Period

19th century

Classification

Furniture

Disclaimer

Note: This electronic record was created from historic documentation that does not necessarily reflect the Yale University Art Gallery’s complete or current knowledge about the object. Review and updating of records is ongoing.

Provenance
Harry Arons, Bridgeport, Conn.; Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Montgomery, New Haven, Conn.
Bibliography
  • Michael S. Podmaniczky, "The Incredible Elastic Chairs of Samuel Gragg," The Magazine Antiques (May 2003), 138
  • Handbook of the Collections, exh. cat. (New Haven, Conn.: Yale University Art Gallery, 1992), 95, ill
  • Patricia E. Kane, 300 Years of American Seating Furniture Chairs and Beds from the Mabel Brady Garvan and Other Collections at Yale University (Boston: New York Graphic Society, 1976), 183-184, no. 163, ill
  • Patricia E. Kane, "Samuel Gragg: His Bentwood Fancy Chairs," Yale University Art Gallery Bulletin 33, no. 2 (Autumn 1971), 26, fig. 1
Object copyright
No Copyright - United States
Additional information

Object/Work type

side chairs

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