Side Chair
In the 1840s, many well-to-do New Yorkers preferred French furniture to that made in their native city. In 1844, Mrs. Samuel Jaudon of New York wrote to her friend Mrs. James C. Colles that "we on this side feel as if everything [is] so much handsomer, and better, and desirable that comes from Paris." Upon orders from New York clients, Parisian cabinetmaker and decorator Ringuet-Leprince shipped entire rooms of furniture, carpets, looking glasses, wallpapers, decorative objects, and sculpture. This side chair is part of a formal drawing room suite that was custom-made by Ringuet-Leprince as part of a suite for the abovementioned Colles family. The suite includes a pair of sofas, four armchairs, four side chairs, a firescreen, and a table (see 69.262.1-10). In 1850, the Colles' daughter, Frances, married John Taylor Johnston, a New York railroad executive who later served as the first president of The Metropolitan Museum of Art from 1870 to 1889. The suite of furniture descended in the family, original upholstery intact, and, except for two armchairs, was given to the Museum in 1969.
Artwork Details
- Title: Side Chair
- Maker: Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince (1801–1886)
- Date: ca. 1843
- Geography: Possibly made in Paris, France; Possibly made in New York, New York, United States
- Culture: American or French
- Medium: Applewood or pearwood, ebonized walnut, beech
- Dimensions: 36 x 18 1/2 x 20 in. (91.4 x 47 x 50.8 cm)
- Credit Line: Gift of Mrs. Douglas Williams, 1969
- Object Number: 69.262.5
- Curatorial Department: The American Wing
More Artwork
A slider containing 5 items.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
ca. 1843
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
ca. 1843
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
ca. 1843
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
ca. 1843
Auguste-Emile Rinquet-Leprince
ca. 1843
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.