Chairs

Chairs - Body

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Look Closely

Front view of an ornately carved chair made from walnut wood, with a red patterned upholstered seat and back cushions.

George Hunzinger, Armchair, ca. 1869, walnut, parcel-gilt, brass, brocade fabric. Purchased with funds from the Virginia Steele Scott Foundation. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Front view of a carved marble throne or seat, shown outdoors. Marble lions are carved as the armrests and a bird with open wings is carved on the backrest.

Antonio Natali, Seat of Honor, ca. 1870–1918, marble. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Front view of an ornately carved chair made from walnut wood, with a red patterned upholstered seat and back cushions.
Front view of a carved marble throne or seat, shown outdoors. Marble lions are carved as the armrests and a bird with open wings is carved on the backrest.
A teal and lime green vertical bar on the left that says “Time to sort!” with a light green and light purple venn diagram in the middle where one circle says “Armchair,” one says “Seat of Honor,” and the middle says “Both.”

Review the terms that describe both images. Which facts go in the same area of the diagram? Which facts go in each different area of the diagram?

  • Marble
  • European
  • Outdoor sculpture
  • Fabric
  • Chair
  • Armrests
  • Lion
  • Cushion
  • Antonio Natali
  • A seat
  • Wood
  • Indoor
  • The Huntington's collection
  • Legs
  • George Hunzinger
  • Furniture
  • Decorative Arts
  • Bird
  • Decoration
  • American
A teal and lime green vertical bar on the left that says “Answers” with a light green and light purple venn diagram in the middle where one circle says “Lotus,” one says “Sacred lotus,” and the middle says “Both” and the answers listed in each.

Answers

"Armchair"

  • Decorative Arts
  • Cushion
  • American
  • George Hunzinger
  • Indoor
  • Fabric
  • Wood

Both

  • A seat
  • Armrests
  • Chair
  • Legs
  • Decoration
  • The Huntington's collection
  • Furniture

"Seat of Honor"

  • Outdoor sculpture
  • European
  • Lion
  • Antonio Natali
  • Marble
  • Bird

Learn about the chairs

Front view of an ornately carved chair made from walnut wood, with a red patterned upholstered seat and back cushions.

  • This chair was designed and created by George Hunzinger. His father was a cabinetmaker, and he learned to build furniture by helping his father.
  • A special feature of this chair is the diagonal back support, which was created to help the chair recline backward.
  • Imagine you are sitting in this chair. How do you think it would feel?
  • Zoom in to the armchair.

George Hunzinger, Armchair, ca. 1869, walnut, parcel-gilt, brass, brocade fabric. Purchased with funds from the Virginia Steele Scott Foundation. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Front view of a carved marble throne or seat, shown outdoors. Marble lions are carved as the armrests and a bird with open wings is carved on the backrest.

  • This is a marble chair. The armrests are carved to look like two lions, from their heads down to their claws.
  • The title of this chair is Seat of Honor. Who do you think would have sat in this chair? What makes you think that?
  • The creator of this chair was Antonio Natali, an Italian sculptor. Natali’s name is carved on the back of the chair.
  • Imagine you are sitting in this chair. How do you think it would feel?
  • Zoom in to the chair.

Antonio Natali, Seat of Honor, ca. 1870–1918, marble. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens.

Questions

  • What did you notice about object 1, Armchair?
  • What did you notice about object 2, Seat of Honor?
  • How are they the same?
  • How are they different?
  • What did you learn?
  • Which chair do you like best? Why?

Activities

Where is the chair?

Materials: Paper and tools for drawing

Time: 10 minutes

Steps:

  1. Pick either the Armchair or Seat of Honor.
  2. Where do you think this chair was originally found? Draw this place. It could be an indoor or outdoor space. It is up to you.

Extension Activity

Materials: Scissors and tape/glue

Time: 5 minute

Steps:

  1. Print the image of the chair you chose. Use the scissors to cut it out.
  2. Then tape or glue the chair to your drawing to show where this chair should go.

We would love to see your work!

Please take a picture of your Venn diagram. Then post it on social media and tag The Huntington! #LearnAtTheH