SAPFM Museum Furniture Collection

Curule (Folding) Chair

Curule (Folding) Chair, c. 1450–1500, forged iron
Date
c. 1450–1500
Medium
forged iron
Dimensions
Overall: 106.7 x 63.5 x 54.6 cm (42 x 25 x 21 1/2 in.)
Form
Chair
Origin
Italy
Culture
Italy, Florence?, 15th century
Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Accession
1949.201
Credit line
John L. Severance Fund
This is a rare example of a Renaissance folding chair. It was intended to be lightweight and easily portable so that it could be folded and transported from room to room or even house to house. They were likely used in Italian homes, though they may have also been favored by scholars and clerics for use in their studies. Their portability also made them useful for extended travel. The fabric is a modern replacement.
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