Furniture: Chair in the Renaissance Revival style, belonging to Charles S. Stratton
Miniature chair associated with Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb. The chair likely dates to the 1860s or... Show moreMiniature chair associated with Charles S. Stratton, better known by his stage name, General Tom Thumb. The chair likely dates to the 1860s or 1870s, based on the shape of the chair back and the decorative carving. A popular furniture style in that time period was called Renaissance Revival; this chair is a modest example of the style. Note the stylized "shell" carving at the top of the crest rail, the rondel at each corner with a narrow cascade of fabric extending down the side, and the areas of painted gold highlighting those elements as well as within the incised lines (linear carved designs, like drawing in wood). The association with Stratton is not entirely clear, and there may be one or more chairs like this in existence. This chair (and others, if they exist) may have been owned by Charles and his wife, Lavinia Warren, who was also a little person. They married in 1863, a date that fits the time period of the chair's style. Alternately, a pair or set of chairs may have been made for the couple's use when they visited Barnum's home. This chair has a history of being passed down through Barnum descendants, not from Lavinia Warren, who outlived Stratton by more than 35 years. This chair is taller and wider than Stratton's Gothic-style stage chair with green upholstery in the museum's collection, which is an earlier piece dating to the 1840s or 1850s. The two chairs help to document Stratton's growth over time. The blue upholstery is a modern replacement, though not a reproduction of the original, as the original upholstery was entirely gone. The other identical chair is upholstered in a patterned floral fabric probably from the 1950s or thereabouts. The front casters (small wheels) on the front legs are missing. Charles S. Stratton (January 4, 1838 - July 15, 1883) was an entertainer who got his start with P. T. Barnum in the 1840s. Stratton's parents signed him with Barnum when the boy was barely five years old. The family went to live in New York City where Stratton performed at Barnum's American Museum, located on Broadway at Ann Street. The little boy took quickly to performing, and on tours he entertained audiences worldwide, including royalty. Stratton's performances brought him renown, becoming one of the biggest celebrities at the time, and considerable wealth. In 1863, Stratton married fellow performer and little person M. Lavinia Warren; the two had a happy marriage and continued touring and performing. On July 15,1883, Stratton suffered a stroke and passed away. He is buried at Mountain Grove Cemetery in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Show less