Cover What is the story behind the intricate peacock chair? (Photo: unsplash.com)
What is the story behind the intricate peacock chair? (Photo: unsplash.com)
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Discover the rich history behind the peacock chair, a symbol of Filipino craftsmanship
A staple furniture piece can act as more than a functional object. It may even come to surpass recognition as a mere conversation starter. In the case of the peacock back chair, characterised by its large, ornate backrest that resembles a peacock’s plumage, its appearance may come second to its rich and unconventional history.
Though traditional peacock chairs are made from rattan and wicker, modern adaptations sometimes incorporate synthetic materials for added durability. However, the mark of an authentic chair lies in the use of customary materials and preparation. To assemble this piece of furniture, the rattan is steamed, allowing it to be bent and woven.
Each piece is carefully woven by hand and can take several weeks to complete. Its construction combines aesthetic influences brought by the American occupation from 1899 to 1946 with Victorian-era influence on local craftsmanship.
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Above Judge George A Malcolm, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands, seated in a peacock chair in 1926 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Above American socialite Marguerite Carmack sitting in a peacock chair in the 1910s (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
Judge George A Malcolm, associate justice of the Supreme Court of the Philippine Islands, seated in a peacock chair in 1926 (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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The chair traces its origins to Bilibid Prison in Manila, where prisoners wove them as part of their rehabilitation programme. During the early 20th century, the designs soon caught the attention of foreign visitors, who purchased the incarcerated people’s work and then shipped it back to their home countries. It would soon come to be acknowledged as an icon of colonialism.
According to associate professor Vincent Louie Tan from De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and the Arts, “The tourists had wanted to showcase these penal colonies to exhibit how much change or modernisation they were bringing [...] You can think of that chair as a product, or another symbol of empire.”
The peacock chair found an unexpected place in the turbulent history of the United States in the 1960s. It became a symbol of defiance during the American civil rights movement, a period marked by political upheaval, social unrest, and the battle for racial equality. With its larged, curved back and overall imposing disposition, It was often used in portrait photography, particularly by African American communities.
Above A 1976 portrait of Huey P Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, photographed by Blair Stapp (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
A 1976 portrait of Huey P Newton, co-founder of the Black Panther Party, photographed by Blair Stapp (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)
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One of the most famous images featuring this item is the 1976 portrait of Black Panther Party co-founder Huey P Newton. In this staged photograph by Blair Stapp, Newton sits on a peacock chair wielding a rifle in one hand and a spear in the other. Its regal nature is enhanced by shields and animal skins adorning the set-up. Overall, the image conveys strength, resilience and a connection to the sitter’s African heritage, all in reference to the Black Panthers’ mission.
The chair’s large, rounded back and intricate design make it a striking focal point. Though its origins lie in the Philippines and not the African continent, its throne-like appearance made for an appropriate representation of tribal regality. It granted a semblance of royalty and prestige that veered away from its more humble beginnings and contrasted with the marginalised status of African Americans.
See also: From Vigan to Dapitan: 9 Filipino heritage houses you need to visit
The peacock chair made its way into homes in the United States, becoming a popular choice for photographers and interior designers. Its distinctive shape and natural materials made it associated as a statement piece in bohemian interiors, adding a feel of exotic elegance.
Modern-day organisations and artisans in the Philippines continue to maintain the authenticity of the peacock chair by preserving the traditional methods of crafting these products. Workshops and training programmes have also been established to pass down these time-honoured, customary techniques.
Today, the chair’s design continues to evolve, with present-day designers like Kenneth Cobonpue adding their own touch to the typical design. While rattan and wicker furniture remain popular, these contemporary interpretations feature. Cobonpue’s iteration, for instance, uses his trademark pops of colour to imbue a sense of playful modernity to this traditional piece of furniture.
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About
Julianna has been interested in leading a literary life since she first read Frances Hodgson Burnett's A Little Princess at eight. Before working with Tatler, she was an archive intern at The Center for Fiction in Brooklyn, New York. She is a textbook Pisces who devotes most of her spare time to her crochet projects, watching classic films, and going through her never-ending pile of unread books. She studied creative writing, global literature and art history at Sarah Lawrence College, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2022. Toni Morrison, Nora Ephron, Clarice Lispector and Jia Tolentino are among her all-time favourite writers.
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Julianna writes about fashion, beauty, sustainability, and the arts. She is always keen on conducting interviews with talented women who are changing the game in their respective fields.
For event invites and story leads, hit her up at julianna.cabili@tatlerasia.com
