Description

Abraham Lincoln's rosewood chair is painted black and features a scrolled horseshoe-shaped back with openwork and a central circular design created by wooden supports. The back is painted with gold scrollwork and flowers and inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The central design is painted with red, green, and gold flowers and leaves. The seat frame is rounded in the front and features a woven rush seat. All four legs gently curve outward. The two front legs are turned and painted with gold flowers and other designs. The turned stretcher that connects the two front legs is painted with gold scrolls. Two stretchers support the chair legs on both sides. One stretcher connects the back legs. Chair was probably received as a gift and was used by President Lincoln while he was in the White House. Gift to the Lincoln Museum in Ft. Wayne from Robert Lincoln Beckwith, great grandson of Abraham Lincoln, Washington, D.C. on October 15, 1981. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum