Speaker's Chair Used in the United States House of Representatives in Philadelphia, 1790-1795

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Artifact Overview

This chair was made in the early 1790s for either the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives or the President of the U.S. Senate, both bodies then located in Philadelphia. We believe that it was later used by the U.S. Supreme Court, along with three similar chairs, now at the Independence National Historical Park, Philadelphia.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Armchair

Date Made

1790-1795

Creator Notes

Attributed to Thomas Affleck, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in With Liberty & Justice for All

Object ID

61.167.16

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Mahogany (Wood)
Silk (Textile)

Color

Red

Dimensions

Height: 51 in
Width: 32 in (at out edges of arms)
Length: 34 in (backrest sweeps backward)

Speaker's Chair Used in the United States House of Representatives in Philadelphia, 1790-1795