Masonic Armchair

American

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 749

The seat and legs of this example are typical of the best Boston Rococo chairs, but the back is unusual. It is made up of Masonic symbols: fluted columns (referring to King Solomon’s temple), a rusticated arch (arch of heaven), a compass and square (faith and reason), a mason’s level (equality), a serpent swallowing its tail (rebirth), and a trowel (cement of brotherly love). The chair was probably made for the senior warden of an as-yet-unidentified Massachusetts lodge.

Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American

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Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American
Masonic Armchair, Painted mahogany, maple; horsehair, linen, upholstery foundation (original), American

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