Reclining Armchair

Designer Frank Lloyd Wright (American, 1867 - 1959)

Manufacturer John W. Ayers Co. (American, 1895 - 1910)

Dateca. 1902-1903

MediumOak

DimensionsOverall: 40 × 31 3/4 × 26 3/4 inches (101.6 × 80.65 × 67.95 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: William Rockhill Nelson Trust through exchange of the gifts of Mrs. William H. Chapman, and the gifts and bequest of Inez Grant Parker; and another Trust property

Object number93-31

On View

On view

Gallery Location

Collections

Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts

Terms

DescriptionOak armchair with reclining back. composed of two square stiles with wide splat occupying most of the area between the stiles. Rectangular front and rear legs with rear legs taller than front. Area below arms occupied by wide rectangular boards.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

Frank Lloyd Wright designed this chair for the Francis W. Little house, an early example of Prairie School architecture, which derived from the American Arts and Crafts Movement. Built in Peoria, Illinois, the house incorporated the low, horizontal lines, bands of windows and overhanging eaves characteristic of Wright. Composed of rectangular elements similar to the house's architecture, this chair reflects Wright's dedication to integrated interior and exterior design. The chair acknowledges Wright's interest in the English Arts and Crafts movement, which emphasized the importance of a well-designed, functional environment, harmonious in all its components. The chair is a recliner; the seat pulls forward, simultaneously lowering the back.

Provenance

Francis W. Little, Peoria, IL, by 1908 [1];

Purchased from Little by Robert and Cora Clark, Francis W. Little House, Peoria, IL, 1908-at the latest 1930;

Purchased from the Clarks by Charles and Laura Hill Buehler, Francis W. Little House, Peoria, IL, by 1930;

Unknown owners, Francis W. Little House, Peoria, IL, until 1987;

Domino’s Pizza Collection, Ann Arbor, MI, 1987-December 11, 1993;

Purchased at its sale, Arts and Crafts and Architectural Designs [Including Works from the Domino’s Center for Architecture and Design], Christie’s, New York, December 11, 1993, lot 436, by The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO, 1993.

Published References

David A. Hanks, The Decorative Designs of Frank Lloyd Wright. (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1979), 133 (repro.).

David A. Hanks, Frank Lloyd Wright—Preserving an Architectural Heritage: Decorative designs from the Domino’s Pizza Collection, (New York: E. P. Dutton, 1989), 140 (repro.).

Information about a particular artwork or image, including provenance information, is based upon historic information and may not be currently accurate or complete. Research on artwork and images is an ongoing process, and the information about a particular artwork or image may not reflect the most current information available to the Museum. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about a particular artwork or image, please e-mail provenance@nelson-atkins.org.