Please Have a Seat: A Survey of American Chairs, 1820-2020

This installation in the Galleria cases assembles over a dozen examples of American chairs from the past 200 years. By focusing on a specific furniture form—a single elevated seat with a back and legs—the project provides a comparative view of how makers in the United States solved various design problems, utilized new raw materials, and incorporated contemporary stylistic features. Drawn primarily from the Museum’s permanent collection, Please Have a Seat features additional key loans, such as an iconic Eero Saarinen Womb Chair, from local collectors. The presentation marks The Columbus Museum debut of a new acquisition: a Bilge Lounge Chair designed by Brooklyn-based firm UHURU in 2008.

This exhibition is generously presented by La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor, Columbus, Georgia.