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Chair

ca. 1860 (made)
Artist/Maker
Belter, John Henry (maker)
Place of origin
New York (made)

This chair was probably designed by the American furniture designer John Henry Belter in about 1856 in New York. Belter emigrated to New York from his native Hanover, Germany in 1833 where he set up as a cabinet-maker. He was an advocate of the Rococo Revival, evidence of which can be seen in the flowing curved outline of this chair and the use of naturalistic flowers, fruit and foliage for its carved decoration.

Belter was also a pioneer in the use of laminated construction. He took out patents related to this technique in 1856, 1858 and 1860. The entire back panel of this chair is made of 7-ply laminated wood, wrapped around the seat. It is made of rosewood ply and other woods painted to look like rosewood.

Object details

Category
Furniture
Object type
Chair
Materials and techniques
Moulded, 7-ply rosewood-faced back (internal veneers probably oak or black walnut) with solid rosewood carving applied around cresting, paper; legs pieced from sections of solid rosewood; oak frame
Rosewood Plywood
Rosewood
Oak
Moulding
Carving
Joining
Brief description
Chair, probably designed and manufactured by John Henry Belter, moulded rosewood-faced plywood back, solid rosewood and oak frame, New York, about 1860
Physical description
The chair has a low seat, plain back legs which curve outwards, front legs curve in and then outwards, carved with a rose at the top of the leg and a leaf at the bottom. The wooden vertical front to the seat is curved and carved in the centre with a rose and leaves. The back is curved, carved at the top with elaborate flower and fruit design. The 1970s upholstery has been removed to reveal the construction of the frame.
Dimensions
  • Height: 93.3cm
  • Width: 47cm
  • Depth: 45.7cm
Gallery label
(2017)
Text from Plywood: Material of the Modern World (15 July-12 November 2017)

CHAIR
About 1860

To carve a curved chair back out of solid
rosewood would have been expensive both
in terms of materials and labour. Belter's
plywood technique reduced the amount of
rosewood used, as the internal layers of
veneer could be made of cheaper wood.
By moulding the backs, Belter avoided the
need to employ expensive skilled carvers.

Probably designed and manufactured by
John Henry Belter (1804-63)
New York, USA
Moulded, 7-ply rosewood-faced back (internal veneers
probably oak or black walnut) with solid rosewood
carving applied around cresting, paper; legs pieced from
sections of solid rosewood; oak frame

Given by Samuel Dornsife
V&A: W.2-1971
(05/08/2015)
Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101

LAMINATED AND CARVED CHAIR
About 1856

Here a historical style has been combined with technical innovation. The flowing shape and carved decoration are typical of the Rococo Revival, while the wood is laminated. This form of construction significantly reduced the weight and manufacturing costs of the chair. Belter was a pioneer of laminated construction and took out three patents relating to the process.

USA, New York; designed and manufactured by John Henry Belter
Rosewood, laminated and simulated

Given by Samuel Dornsife
(2006)
Europe and America 1800-1900, room 101

LAMINATED AND CARVED CHAIR
About 1856

USA, New York; designed and manufactured by John Henry Belter

Rosewood, laminated and simulated

Museum no. W.2-1971
Given by Samuel Dornsife

This chair combines a historical style with technical innovation. Its flowing shape and carved decoration are typical of the Rococo Revival, while the wood is laminated. This form of construction significantly reduced the weight and manufacturing costs of the chair. Belter was a pioneer of laminated construction and took out patents relating to the process in 1856, 1858 and 1860.
Credit line
Given by Samuel Dornsife
Summary
This chair was probably designed by the American furniture designer John Henry Belter in about 1856 in New York. Belter emigrated to New York from his native Hanover, Germany in 1833 where he set up as a cabinet-maker. He was an advocate of the Rococo Revival, evidence of which can be seen in the flowing curved outline of this chair and the use of naturalistic flowers, fruit and foliage for its carved decoration.

Belter was also a pioneer in the use of laminated construction. He took out patents related to this technique in 1856, 1858 and 1860. The entire back panel of this chair is made of 7-ply laminated wood, wrapped around the seat. It is made of rosewood ply and other woods painted to look like rosewood.
Bibliographic reference
Wilk, Christopher. Plywood: A Material Story. London: Thames & Hudson / V&A, 2017
Collection
Furniture and Woodwork Collection
Accession number
W.2-1971

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Record createdApril 6, 2000
Record URL
https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O34903/chair-belter-john-henry/
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