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Splat-back armchair

Attributed to the shop of John Gaines III American
1735–43
On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 713
In the design and construction of this armchair, the incline of the back, relaxed slope of the arms, and forward pull of the powerful ram’s-horn handgrips are in perfect balance. The scrolls, foliate carvings, and piercing of the crest rail and the extended length and breadth of the outward-sweeping carved feet are design elements associated with John Gaines III. Trained by his father, a turner and chairmaker in Ipswich, Massachusetts, Gaines moved in 1724 to Portsmouth, where his shop remained active until 1745.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Splat-back armchair
  • Maker: Attributed to the shop of John Gaines III (American, 1704–1743)
  • Date: 1735–43
  • Geography: Made in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States
  • Culture: American
  • Medium: Soft maple, poplar, ash
  • Dimensions: 40 5/8 x 27 x 17 in. (103.2 x 68.6 x 43.2 cm)
  • Credit Line: Bequest of Mrs. J. Insley Blair, 1951
  • Object Number: 52.77.55
  • Curatorial Department: The American Wing

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