Images(4)

Armchair

Dateca. 1940

OriginAmerica (probably)

Mediumrattan wood

Credit LineGift of the John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, Fund, Inc., through the generosity and interest of Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, 3rd, and members o the family.

Object number1996.BH.675,1

DescriptionChinese Chippendale style rattan armchair, used with a thin green cushion. Part of a set of 2 arm and 2 side chairs.
Label TextThese chairs in a chinoiserie style were used by Mr. & Mrs. John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in the Tea House at Bassett Hall. Rattan and wicker furniture became popular for gardens and porches in the mid to late 19th century, continuing into the 20th. While visually similar to bamboo, the rattan is an entirely different Asian plant. The rattan includes both the poles, used for the structural members of the furniture, and pliable strands of the outer bark that was used to wrap the joints.