Image captured from the NEH Myers Conservation Survey by Carey Howlett.

Side Chair

Manufacturer Unknown

CultureFrench

Date1785

MediumWood | Gesso | Ivory | Paint | upholstery

DimensionsOverall: 35 x 19 1/2 x 17 1/2 in. (88.9 x 49.5 x 44.5 cm)

Credit LineChrysler Museum of Art, Moses Myers House, Norfolk, Virginia. The Historic Houses are the property of the City of Norfolk and are operated by The Chrysler Museum.

Object numberM51.1.32

On View

Chrysler Museum of Art, MMH, Parlor

DescriptionLouis XVI side chair (one of a pair) with an upholstered seat and back. The chair has tapered turned legs with stop fluting and channel molded seat rails, and the seat has "half over-the-rail" upholstery. The back is rectangular, with molded stiles and rails outlining the upholstery panel. The chair is currently painted ivory and appears to retain several earlier paint layers. The pair of Myers family chairs are said to be part of a set of twelve chairs purchased for James Madison by James Monroe while minister to France. Dolley Madison gave these two chairs to Moses Myers II (grandson of Moses Myers) and his second wife, James Madison's great-niece, at the time of their marriage.

Exhibition HistoryMyers House "Dolley and `the great little Madison'". 1977. Published ReferencesWendell Garrett, "French Decorative Arts in America," ANTIQUES, Vol. CXXXV/No.3 (March 1989), 703-4, color plate XVII, 704.