<em>Armchair</em>. Cast iron, storage: 33 × 23 × 22 in. (83.8 × 58.4 × 55.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mrs. William Sterling Peters, 59.59. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.59.59.jpg)

Armchair. Cast iron, storage: 33 × 23 × 22 in. (83.8 × 58.4 × 55.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mrs. William Sterling Peters, 59.59. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.59.59.jpg)

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What is this?

Everything in that case is made of materials that were innovative or unusual at the time! That armchair is made of cast iron and it incorporates a design of plant leaves. Can you see them? Behind it, you'll see a small table made from 42 animal horns!

I think I have an arm chair like that one at home!

The 1880s was a time of prosperity for the United States, and the expanding middle class and upper middle class were buying furniture for their newly built homes. Furniture manufacturers catered to this new market by coming up with surprising materials and new designs.

How will I know if it is authentic, from the time period?

If you were curious, you'd need to contact a professional appraiser who specializes in furniture.

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These pieces of furniture were remarkable for being made from new and unusual materials. The armchair is made from cast iron, an innovative material for furniture in the early 20th century that allowed for ornate and open designs. Plants and nature were a common inspiration in the Art Nouveau movement. Behind it, there is a table made from 42 bull horns!

Armchair

Decorative Arts and Design

MEDIUM Cast iron

DIMENSIONS storage: 33 × 23 × 22 in. (83.8 × 58.4 × 55.9 cm) (show scale)

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts and Design

ACCESSION NUMBER 59.59

CREDIT LINE Bequest of Mrs. William Sterling Peters

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is not on view

CAPTION Armchair. Cast iron, storage: 33 × 23 × 22 in. (83.8 × 58.4 × 55.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Mrs. William Sterling Peters, 59.59. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.59.59.jpg)

IMAGE overall, CUR.59.59.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2010

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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