Armchair for the Smoking Room, Argyle Street Tea Rooms
Design Date 1897–1900
Designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh (1868–1928, Scottish)
Manufacturer Francis Smith & Son, Glasgow, Scotland
Media stained oak
Dimensions 32 1/4 x 24 1/2 x 19 inches
Charles Rennie Mackintosh is regarded today as one of the world’s greatest designers. His armchair for the smoking room in the Argyle Street Tea Rooms was designed during 1897–1900 when Miss Kate Cranston enlarged and redecorated her tea rooms at 114 Argyle Street. The architectural work was done by Hugh and David Barclay, the decorations and fitted furniture by George Walton, and the new movable furniture and some of the light fixtures by Charles Rennie Mackintosh. The form of this chair is simple and attractive, fitting with Mackintosh’s aesthetic and wish to elevate design over materials and technique. These armchairs were designed for the billiards and smoking rooms, in which only men were welcome, which also speaks to the design of this chair with its rectangular forms, dark wood and bold outline.
ON VIEW in Art Nouveau Gallery 4
Markings unmarked
Credit Line Collection Kirkland Museum of Fine & Decorative Art
Accession Number CG0627
