ROSS CHAIR

In 1869, President Andrew Johnson was impeached; Senator Edmund G. Ross of Kansas cast the deciding vote. Many of Ross's constituents were angered by this and voted him out of office. 17 years later, President Chester A. Arthur took pity on Ross an appointed him Governor of the New Mexico Territory. He was Governor from 1885-1889 and during that time the affairs of the territorial government were carried out in the Legislative Assembly of the famed double-domed capital building in Santa Fe.

The inspiration for the Ross chair comes from one housed in the collections of the historic Palace of the Governors that dates to the late 1800's. The chair's overall clean lines, delicate incising and embossed floral motifs are signatures of the style of furniture made from 1870-1890, known as “Eastlake.” So named for the designer and manufacturer Charles Locke Eastlake. Although technically considered part of the Victorian period, Eastlake's unique look is defined by the very lack of high relief carving and curved shape so prevalent in the furniture produced at this time.