ca.1850-1920 Period Victorian (1837-1901) Cast-iron chair in the “Morning Glory” or “Convolvulus” pattern. The back is formed by morning glories on the vine intertwining with the structural supports of the back. The back follows the curve of the round seat that features a pieced design. Along the top, sides, and apron is a “C” scroll and foliate border. The legs have a formal paw inset with grapes, typically found on English versions of this pattern. This design was created by Coalbrookdale in England in 1855 and was named the “Convolvulus” pattern. It was renamed the “Morning Glory” pattern when it was brought to America soon after. Morning glories were a popular flower to grow indoors and in the garden in the nineteenth century in America, and it was a favorite motif in the decorative arts of the time. Naturalism, the realistic reproduction of the beauties of nature, was a popular style in the Victorian era. Though it appears as early as the 1840’s in America, naturalistic designs continued to the 1900s. This was in part due to the influence of the natural sciences, and interest in nature and gardening, which spread through the upper and middle classes in the nineteenth century. Naturalistic designs incorporated floral, foliate, fruit, vegetal, and animal forms into furnishings and decorative objects for the home and garden. Measures 27"w x 17" d x 32" h. Seat diameter 13”, seat height 14.25”