Small comb-back of five spindles. Right arm terminating in large ovate writing surface supported by two turned braces and covered with red leather; left arm is knuckled. Arm assembly rests on two turned seventeen spindles. Broad slightly dished seat supported by four turned legs joined by H system of turned stretchers; drawers under writing arm and seat.

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Object Timeline

1907	We acquired this object.
2001	We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2014	We photographed this object.
2015	We photographed this object. This was an Object of the Day.
2021	You found it!

Writing Chair (USA), early 19th century

This is a Writing chair. It is dated early 19th century and we acquired it in 1907. Its medium is joined, turned, and carved ash, maple and beech woods; leather; brass. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

Windsor chairs were first made in America around 1725, though they were in production in England as early as the sixteenth century. The form consists of a solid wooden seat, into which the chair’s back and round legs are pushed into drill holes. This Windsor chair features the utilitarian embellishment of a desk, a trend that had begun by the 1770s.

This object was featured in our Object of the Week series in a post titled A Patriotic Chair.

This object was donated by Mr. George A. Hearn. It is credited Gift of George A. Hearn.

Writing Toolbox (England), 1750–75
enamel on copper, gilt copper, glass, wood.
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of John Gellatly, 1929.8.245.26.
21.2012.1

Blue rectilinear form composed of rectangular drawer and shelf unit on left, two-shelf unit on right, supporting two horizontal drawers immediately below desk top; drawer and shelf units with chromed metal supports, square in section; drawers with red conical knobs; desk top covered in blue-painted canvas.

Desk (USA), ca. 1933
lacquered wood, painted canvas, chromed metal.
Gift of Joel and Anne Ehrenkranz.
2006-24-1

ET Personal 55 Portable Typewriter, 1985-1986
molded abs polymer, metal.
Gift of George R. Kravis II.
2018-22-110

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 103 x 93.5 x 80.5cm (40 9/16 x 36 13/16 x 31 11/16in.)

Cite this object as

Writing Chair (USA), early 19th century; joined, turned, and carved ash, maple and beech woods; leather; brass; H x W x D: 103 x 93.5 x 80.5cm (40 9/16 x 36 13/16 x 31 11/16in.); Gift of George A. Hearn; 1907-14-3-a/e

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/2B3oX/
Accession Number 1907-14-3-a/e
Object ID 18153475