Side chair
George Hunzinger
(American, born in Germany, 1835–1898)
about 1870
Object PlaceNew York, New York
Medium/TechniqueWalnut; original and modern upholstery
DimensionsOverall: 81.9 x 44.5 x 53.3 cm (32 1/4 x 17 1/2 x 21 in.)
Credit LineHarriet Otis Cruft Fund
Accession number1979.625
On View
On viewClassificationsFurniture
Collections
Understanding that consumers craved both novelty and variety, Hunzinger offered his chairs with several choices of upholstery and finish. Upholstery divided into three sections, with a decorative stripe at center, was popular in the 1870s and 80s. The center stripe was often a machine-woven fabric, but it was also fashionable for women to stitch fancy needlework for their furniture. The original cover on this chair has not survived; the needlework now on the cushion was stitched by MFA volunteer Gabriella Beranek after a pattern published in 1877.
Provenanceearly history unknown; purchased in 1979 from E.J. Canton (dealer), Baltimore, Maryland.
1880–1905
