Accession Number

987.007.002

Description

A black leather overstuffed Turkish-styled chair, tufted back and front, the seat surface convex in shape, the padded armrests with one row of tufting on the inside and gathered at the front, the front section below the seat a narrow strip of tufting and gathered leather above swags of leather tassels, glued to the underside is the manufacturer's square label in white lower-case letters on a coloured background.

Narrative

Exoticism in household decoration was a popular approach during the late 19th Century.  In smoking rooms, Islamic-themed art and furniture was de riguer. This chair and its mate, 987.007.001, epitomize this concept. 

The donors of these fine American leather chairs carefully used them on a daily basis. But by 1987, they realized that they would not remain in such good condition if they continued to sit on them, and so, they donated them to Craigdarroch. It is not likely that examples of this age and condition exist anywhere else.

History of Use

This chair was purchased by the donor's grandmother, Mrs. James Gray,  at an estate sale in New Westminster in 1922. Her husband, Mr. James Gray, was an early pioneer and developer in Langley, B.C.

Date

circa 1880 – 1900

Dimensions

102 x 88 x 89.3 cm

Material

Leather; Wood; Metal

Serial Number

6926

Inscription

Karpen guaranteed upholstery Chicago 6926
Karpen Best Genuine Leather Sterling Brand

Country of Origin

United States of America