The naming of chairs is a difficult matter.
October 25, 2013 1:58 PM Subscribe
I have an old photo that has two chairs in it; I'd like to know what you call this kind of chair.
In the background of this photo, taken in the US at an estate in approximately 1915-1920, are two chairs. I'd like to know how to describe these chairs. The eventual goal is to get similar chairs so if you know of a source, that would also be welcome information.
The estate was full of antiquities as well as contemporary versions of antiquities. The area in which the chairs are pictured was inspired by Roman, Greek and Indo-Persian design.
In the background of this photo, taken in the US at an estate in approximately 1915-1920, are two chairs. I'd like to know how to describe these chairs. The eventual goal is to get similar chairs so if you know of a source, that would also be welcome information.
The estate was full of antiquities as well as contemporary versions of antiquities. The area in which the chairs are pictured was inspired by Roman, Greek and Indo-Persian design.
They're behind the columns.
posted by Admiral Haddock at 2:01 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by Admiral Haddock at 2:01 PM on October 25, 2013
Response by poster: They are in the background. You can see two of them, one in the shadow of the column on the left and on the right the arm of the other one sticking out.
posted by sciencegeek at 2:02 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by sciencegeek at 2:02 PM on October 25, 2013
The left one looks like a barrel chair, but it's hard to tell what style.
posted by PSB at 2:03 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
posted by PSB at 2:03 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Another term is "tub chair," but tub chairs are often upholstered.
posted by purpleclover at 2:13 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by purpleclover at 2:13 PM on October 25, 2013
Best answer: Those look like Etruscan thrones to me. Maybe marble reproductions rather than the traditional terracotta?
posted by oinopaponton at 2:20 PM on October 25, 2013 [7 favorites]
posted by oinopaponton at 2:20 PM on October 25, 2013 [7 favorites]
I've heard barrel chair, they're also a little like club chairs. Interesting puzzle. Good luck.
posted by hungrybruno at 2:32 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by hungrybruno at 2:32 PM on October 25, 2013
I'd never heard of Etruscan thrones, but that seems exactly right.
Maybe marble reproductions rather than the traditional terracotta?
There's a big chunk missing from the foot of the one on the right.
posted by jon1270 at 2:36 PM on October 25, 2013
Maybe marble reproductions rather than the traditional terracotta?
There's a big chunk missing from the foot of the one on the right.
posted by jon1270 at 2:36 PM on October 25, 2013
Here's a 19th-century Roman reproduction throne chair from a New England estate. It's not exactly like yours, but it feels related.
posted by purpleclover at 2:50 PM on October 25, 2013
posted by purpleclover at 2:50 PM on October 25, 2013
Response by poster: Thank you, oinopaponton! They look to be Etruscan thrones.
The power of the hive mind is amazing.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:42 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
The power of the hive mind is amazing.
posted by sciencegeek at 3:42 PM on October 25, 2013 [1 favorite]
Mod note: Final update from the OP:
The final update is that just last night, I learned that someone associated with the gardens managed to win a similar chair at auction and it will be going back in the same spot where the 1920's photo shows it.posted by taz (staff) at 6:50 AM on May 8, 2016
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 1:59 PM on October 25, 2013