Design for Three Low Gothic Style Arm Chairs
early 19th century
Medium
Pen and ink
Dimensions
sheet: 8 1/16 x 12 9/16 in. (20.5 x 31.9 cm)
Classification
Drawings|Ornament & Architecture
Department
Drawings and Prints
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Harris Brisbane Dick Fund, 1938
Accession Number
38.37.57
Tags
Art Historical Context
This delicate pen and ink drawing from early 19th-century Britain presents designs for three low armchairs in the Gothic style, a nod to medieval aesthetics revived during the Regency era. Created anonymously by a British designer, the sheet showcases precise renderings of sturdy, low-slung seats adorned with pointed arches, tracery, and ornate detailing—hallmarks of Gothic ornamentation adapted for domestic comfort. At just over 8 by 12 inches, it's a compact working drawing, likely intended for furniture makers or architects blending historical revival with everyday utility. The Gothic Revi...