George Jacob Hunzinger (American, born Germany, 1835–1898). Armchair, ca. 1876. Walnut, steel mesh, fabric, 33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 83.27. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.27_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
George Jacob Hunzinger (American, born Germany, 1835–1898). Armchair, ca. 1876. Walnut, steel mesh, fabric, 33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 83.27. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.27_mark_bw_IMLS.jpg)
George Jacob Hunzinger (American, born Germany, 1835–1898). Armchair, ca. 1876. Walnut, steel mesh, fabric, 33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 83.27. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.27_bw_IMLS.jpg)
George Jacob Hunzinger (American, born Germany, 1835–1898). Armchair, ca. 1876. Walnut, steel mesh, fabric, 33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 83.27. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.27_SL1.jpg)
Armchair
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Several Seats
About this Brooklyn Icon
The Brooklyn Museum is commemorating its 200th anniversary by spotlighting 200 standout objects in its encyclopedic collection.
The Brooklyn Museum is the major repository for works by George Hunzinger, one of the most idiosyncratic yet innovative American furniture designers and makers of the 19th century. His distinctive designs were influential due to his success in mass-producing a range of furniture that catered to a variety of budgets. This armchair was a popular model, with its patented diagonal front leg design—a feature reiterated in other Hunzinger works in the collection.
Trained in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1855 Hunzinger joined New York’s rapidly growing German community. He settled in Brooklyn, where he began manufacturing his furniture, before moving to Manhattan in 1860. Hunzinger’s specialty was patent furniture: by incorporating new technology, such as adjustable mechanisms, he secured 21 patents for table, chair, and bed designs. Well suited to mass production, his concepts appealed to middle-class Americans’ desire for creativity, adaptability, and affordability in their home goods. The prices for his wares, ranging from $10 to $70 for a chair, depended on the quality of the upholstery, staining, gilding, and other finishes. This chair retains its original woven-steel seat and back, which were probably covered by upholstered cushions for comfort.
***
Gallery Label
A pioneering inventor and marketer, George Jacob Hunzinger was one of the most idiosyncratic and innovative American furniture designers and makers of the nineteenth century.
Born in Germany, Hunzinger joined New York’s rapidly growing German community in 1855. His specialty was furniture patents; by incorporating new materials and technology in his construction, he secured twenty-one patents for innovative table, chair, and bed designs. His pieces appealed to middle-class Americans who prized invention and also required adaptability and affordability in their furniture. With works that spanned wide price points, Hunzinger attracted customers of varying tastes and budgets. This chair retains its original woven steel seat and back, which was likely covered by upholstered cushions for comfort.
The Brooklyn Museum is commemorating its 200th anniversary by spotlighting 200 standout objects in its encyclopedic collection.
The Brooklyn Museum is the major repository for works by George Hunzinger, one of the most idiosyncratic yet innovative American furniture designers and makers of the 19th century. His distinctive designs were influential due to his success in mass-producing a range of furniture that catered to a variety of budgets. This armchair was a popular model, with its patented diagonal front leg design—a feature reiterated in other Hunzinger works in the collection.
Trained in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1855 Hunzinger joined New York’s rapidly growing German community. He settled in Brooklyn, where he began manufacturing his furniture, before moving to Manhattan in 1860. Hunzinger’s specialty was patent furniture: by incorporating new technology, such as adjustable mechanisms, he secured 21 patents for table, chair, and bed designs. Well suited to mass production, his concepts appealed to middle-class Americans’ desire for creativity, adaptability, and affordability in their home goods. The prices for his wares, ranging from $10 to $70 for a chair, depended on the quality of the upholstery, staining, gilding, and other finishes. This chair retains its original woven-steel seat and back, which were probably covered by upholstered cushions for comfort.
***
Gallery Label
A pioneering inventor and marketer, George Jacob Hunzinger was one of the most idiosyncratic and innovative American furniture designers and makers of the nineteenth century.
Born in Germany, Hunzinger joined New York’s rapidly growing German community in 1855. His specialty was furniture patents; by incorporating new materials and technology in his construction, he secured twenty-one patents for innovative table, chair, and bed designs. His pieces appealed to middle-class Americans who prized invention and also required adaptability and affordability in their furniture. With works that spanned wide price points, Hunzinger attracted customers of varying tastes and budgets. This chair retains its original woven steel seat and back, which was likely covered by upholstered cushions for comfort.
MEDIUM
Walnut, steel mesh, fabric
DATES
ca. 1876
DIMENSIONS
33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
Impressed into proper left rear leg at rear, on diagonal, just behind seat: "PAT. A [loss where dowel has been repaired] 1876 / PAT. MARCH 30 / 1869 / HUNZINGER."
SIGNATURE
no signature
INSCRIPTIONS
no inscriptions
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
83.27
CREDIT LINE
H. Randolph Lever Fund
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Armchair, steel mesh with fabric, stained in middle-tone with mainly turned parts, ebonized details and red fabric. Composed of rectangular back raised atop gently curving rectangular legs by two levels of turned spindles. Attached to each side of the back, an arm that begins parallel to the back then abruptly curves to a horizontal plane (each arm capped at each end by a turned cone). Supporting the front of each arm is a long diagonal front leg which is attached to the sides of the rectangular seat. Spanning the front legs is a stretcher that also supports two uprights that support the front of the seat.
Condition: Good, original finish and worn. Some conservation work is evident. Replacement of dowels and glue repairs. See conservation report on file.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in American Art Galleries, 5th Floor, Several Seats
CAPTION
George Jacob Hunzinger (American, born Germany, 1835–1898). Armchair, ca. 1876. Walnut, steel mesh, fabric, 33 3/8 x 21 x 18 1/2 in. (84.8 x 53.3 x 47 cm). Brooklyn Museum, H. Randolph Lever Fund, 83.27. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 83.27_IMLS_SL2.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 83.27_IMLS_SL2.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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RECORD COMPLETENESS
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