Italian, Venice
Set of Three Rush-seat Chairs, 18th century
Painted and gilded walnut, 103 x 42 x 34.5 cm (40 9/16 x 16 9/16 x 13 9/16 in.)
These small chairs have straight legs with an elaborately carved octagonal cross-section in the front. The back legs, called stiles, extend to become part of the back of the chair. Each of these stiles culminates in a spiral capital, called a volute. Across the back of the chair, the same ornately carved design from the bottom cross-section repeats itself with the addition of a palm leaf crest in its center. The seats of these chairs are woven rush.
Early Italian Room
Commentary
Isabella Stewart Gardner kept meticulous records of many of her acquisitions. In keeping with this legacy, object information is continually being reviewed, updated, and enriched in order to give greater access to the collection.