As eighteenth-century English printers produced increasing numbers of books and members of the upper classes read more, the private study or library and its furnishings became an important part of the domestic interior. This chair is one of the earliest examples of specialized furniture with functions specific to reading. Designed so a male reader could sit astride facing the adjustable book ledge, the chair features a candle holder in one arm and a tray for writing implements in the other. Curiously, this form also became known as a “cockfight” chair, and was depicted in illustrations of cockfights. One possible reason is that the chair allowed managers to safely sit, bird in hand, with the padded back protecting the user’s chest.
Tombstone
Armchair, "Cockfight chair", ca. 1720–30. Gift of Mrs. Paul Moore. 1960-164-16-a/c.
Collection Record
3 thoughts on “Cockfight chair”
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[…] York’s Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum owns a more elegant version of this chair and points out that while this piece of furniture became synonymous with rooster carnage, it was […]
南京夜网,南京桑拿,南京梧桐客栈,南京梧桐夜网-Powered by Blogito! on March 29, 2018 at 12:21 pm
[…] York’s Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum owns a more elegant version of this chair and points out that while this piece of furniture became synonymous with rooster carnage, it was […]
南京夜网,南京桑拿,南京梧桐客栈,南京梧桐夜网-Powered by Blossom-Feminine! on March 29, 2018 at 1:02 pm
[…] York’s Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum owns a more elegant version of this chair and points out that while this piece of furniture became synonymous with rooster carnage, it was […]