Chair #242

GRYPHON ARMCHAIR

—Designer unknown

Carved of the mighty oak, this powerful Gryphon chair is fierce! Imagine the chairman of the board perched in it at the end of a long conference room table? Yikes. I'd acquiesce immediately to his or her demands. The chair was created circa 1815, and still has the original burgundy leather cushion on it. The gryphon, half lion (king of beasts) and half eagle (king of birds), is known as the most magnificent animal in Greek mythology. Animals on furniture originated in antiquity (think Egypt), but are mostly known from the French Empire period.