Attributed to Thomas Affleck

This side chair illustrates three important mid-18th-century design trends—Chinese, Gothic, and French Rococo—all popularized by English cabinetmaker Thomas Chippendale in his highly influential design handbook, The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director. The curvature and carved asymmetrical scrolls of the seat back reflect the undulating line of French Rococo, which contrasts with the front seat rail’s geometric octagonal border, a motif derived from Chinese design. The legs are carved with arched lancets and quatrefoils, following a Gothic trend.

A Scottish immigrant and the likely maker of this chair, Thomas Affleck is known to have owned a copy of Chippendale’s Director; here, he adeptly combined multiple stylistic elements to create an American classic.