Sedia Chair
Design Date c. 1900
Designer Carlo Bugatti (1856–1940, Italian)
Manufacturer Carlo Bugatti, Milan, Italy
Media walnut with inlaid ebony, pewter and bone
Dimensions 38 x 16 1/2 x 16 1/2 inches
Carlo Bugatti’s furniture pieces are one of a kind and often do not fit one specific artistic style. He drew inspiration, as evident in this chair, from Japanese, Moorish and Arabic design. This chair is classified as Arts & Crafts because it was created during the Arts & Crafts era at Bugatti’s own workshop in Milan and is the result of individual handiwork and craft. Bugatti was a furniture maker, architect and jeweler and such versatility is evident in this chair with his wide choice of materials. Bugatti achieved considerable renown for his furniture, exhibiting pieces at the 1888 Industrial Arts Exhibition in Milan, the 1888 Italian Exhibition at London’s Earl Court in England, the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, the 1902 International Exhibition of Modern Decorative Arts in Turin and many other exhibitions throughout Antwerp, Amsterdam and Turin. In fact, Bugatti was so famous during his lifetime that he could even correct a queen. The story goes that when the Queen of Italy called his furniture “Mauresque” in style he dared to correct her by saying, “You are mistaken, majesty, this style is mine!”
ON VIEW in Arts & Crafts Gallery 3
Markings unmarked
Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative
Accession Number 2016.91.002
