United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Walter Chair

Walter Chair/tiles/collection/3/3075.xml
Walter Chair/tiles/collection/3/3076.xml
Walter Chair/tiles/collection/3/3077.xml
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Date

1857

Artist

Thomas Ustick Walter

Maker

John Hammitt

Dimensions

39 x 26 x 24 1/2 in. (99.1 x 66 x 62.2 cm)

Accession Number

2003.019.000

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives

Object Details

When the new House Chamber opened in 1857, it was equipped with fashionable, custom-designed, Renaissance Revival–style furniture. The oak armchairs used by Members are elaborately carved with decorative and symbolic motifs. The top rails include a shield of stars and stripes, with oak branches on one side symbolizing longevity and expressing optimism about the future of the nation, and laurel on the other side, a popular decorative motif symbolizing achievement. Two seasonal seats were made for each chair, one upholstered with goatskin and a second cane seat for warm weather.

Rights and Reproduction Information

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House Chamber 1857–1950: Furniture
House Chamber 1857–1950: Furniture
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov