Charles Sumner Greene (American, 1868-1957). <em>Side Chair</em>, ca. 1907. Honduras mahogany, ebony, with inlay of silver, abalone, copper, pewter, and exotic woods, 43 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. (110.5 x 54.5 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 84.66. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.66_SL1.jpg)

Charles Sumner Greene (American, 1868-1957). Side Chair, ca. 1907. Honduras mahogany, ebony, with inlay of silver, abalone, copper, pewter, and exotic woods, 43 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. (110.5 x 54.5 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 84.66. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.66_SL1.jpg)

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We are from Japan! Is there any artwork related to cultural exchange between Japan and America?

Yes! It is fascinating to see how Japanese art inspired American artists and designers, especially after our countries began trading in 1853.

There is a chair by the designers Greene and Greene that places little pieces of dark ebony wood over the structural joins of the chair, in order to draw attention to the beauty of utility. Apparently this is something that was done in traditional Japanese architecture.

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That's the one! At this time, American decorative arts was becoming very industrialized. Many people idealized Japan as a place where handmade craftsmanship was appreciated and preserved.Many Americans admired the simplicity of Japanese design in comparison to the over-the-top, heavily ornamented mass-produced objects on the market. What do you think of it?

I agree that the simplicity is one face of the beauty of Japanese culture. On the other hand there are also excessively decorative preferences in some parts of Japan. The sense of beauty in Japan has can be so diverse depending on region.

So interesting! It's fascinating what American artists picked up on when they looked to Japan for inspiration.

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Side Chair

Decorative Arts

On View: Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

DESIGNERS Charles Sumner Greene, American, 1868-1957; Henry Mather Greene, American, 1870-1954; Greene & Greene

MAKERS Peter Hall Workshops; Peter Hall Manufacturing Company

MEDIUM Honduras mahogany, ebony, with inlay of silver, abalone, copper, pewter, and exotic woods

DATES ca. 1907

DIMENSIONS 43 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. (110.5 x 54.5 x 49.5 cm) (show scale)

MARKINGS "1" stamped under seat, "7" stamped on underside of removable chair seat

SIGNATURE no signature

INSCRIPTIONS no inscriptions

COLLECTIONS Decorative Arts

MUSEUM LOCATION This item is on view in Decorative Art, 20th-Century Decorative Arts, 4th Floor

ACCESSION NUMBER 84.66

CREDIT LINE Designated Purchase Fund

RIGHTS STATEMENT Creative Commons-BY

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CAPTION Charles Sumner Greene (American, 1868-1957). Side Chair, ca. 1907. Honduras mahogany, ebony, with inlay of silver, abalone, copper, pewter, and exotic woods, 43 1/2 x 21 1/2 x 19 1/2 in. (110.5 x 54.5 x 49.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Designated Purchase Fund, 84.66. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.66_SL1.jpg)

IMAGE overall, 84.66_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph

"CUR" at the beginning of an image file name means that the image was created by a curatorial staff member. These study images may be digital point-and-shoot photographs, when we don\'t yet have high-quality studio photography, or they may be scans of older negatives, slides, or photographic prints, providing historical documentation of the object.