Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
F12 |
Object Name |
Chair |
Title |
Library Chair with Folding Steps |
Artist |
Franklin, Benjamin, attributed |
Place of Origin |
Philadelphia |
Date |
1760-80 |
Description |
Chippendale mahogany, open-arm library chair. The tall, upholstered back has a serpentine crest flanked by upholstered, shaped arms. The arms are raised on concave supports about an upholstered, leather seat with a deeply aproned seat rail. The seat lifts up, exposing two attached steps forming a stool. The chair is raised on molded square front legs and flaring square back legs, all on casters. They are conjoined by an H-stretcher. The chair has its original leather, which has been strengthened. (Murphy D. Smith, "Due Reverence," 1992). |
Label |
This sturdy mahogany and leather chair owned by Benjamin Franklin contains a secret: its seat lifts up to reveal a stepstool that allowed users to reach books on high shelves. Franklin often sat in this chair, which he may have designed, when he presided over APS meetings held at his home because of his poor health. After Franklin's death in 1790, his son-in-law Richard Bache presented the chair to the Society, and later presidents continued to use it until 1931. |
Material |
Mahogany, leather, and steel rod |
Dimensions |
H-48 W-28 D-26 inches |
Dimension Details |
Seat is 18" |
Credit line |
American Philosophical Society. Gift of Richard Bache, 1792. |
Search Terms |
18th century eighteenth century furniture Founding Father invention |