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Object Timeline

1945

  • Work on this object began.

1955

  • Work on this object ended.

1997

  • We acquired this object.

2001

2012

2015

2016

2025

  • You found it!

Usonian Side Chair

This is a Side chair. It was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. It is dated ca. 1950 and we acquired it in 1997. Its medium is plywood, plain woven polyester. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This chair is believed to have come from the Robert D. Winn House in Kalamazoo, Michigan, one of Frank Lloyd Wright’s Usonian homes— affordable housing designed for middle-class families. The architect used the adjective “usonian” to describe the unique character of the American landscape. Usonian furniture designs were simple and intended to be made on-site by the same carpenter engaged to do a building’s millwork; geometric planes of plywood echo the modular components of the homes. It is possible that the wing detail on the leg was not part of Wright’s original design and was added by a carpenter taking artistic license.

This object was donated by Anonymous. It is credited Gift of Anonymous Donor.

  • Price Tower Stool
  • copper, woven textile.
  • Gift of George R. Kravis II.
  • 2018-22-65-a,b

Our curators have highlighted 4 objects that are related to this one. Here are three of them, selected at random:

  • Chair
  • ash plywood, chromed steel, original leather.
  • Lent by Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Decorative Arts Council Fund,....
  • 36.2016.2

Its dimensions are

H x W x D: 73.5 x 63.5 x 62 cm (28 15/16 in. x 25 in. x 24 7/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Usonian Side Chair; Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867–1959); USA; plywood, plain woven polyester; H x W x D: 73.5 x 63.5 x 62 cm (28 15/16 in. x 25 in. x 24 7/16 in.); Gift of Anonymous Donor; 1997-90-1-a/c

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Ellen DeGeneres Selects.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18655779/ |title=Usonian Side Chair |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>