U. S. Senate 1819 Chair Conservation

The United States Senate Office of Senate Curator is requesting proposals for conservation treatment of a historic 1819 mahogany Senate Chamber chair, with proposals due July 17, 2026, and a period of performance extending through June 30, 2027.

The chair (accession 65.00106.000), created by New York cabinetmaker Thomas Constantine for the Senate's post-War of 1812 refurbishment, is one of only three known surviving examples from the original 48 commissioned pieces. It features mahogany construction with leather and horsehair upholstery, reeded and tapered front legs, and flared rear legs. The chair has been significantly altered from its original state, with arms, original casters, and red morocco leather upholstery removed.

Eligible contractors must be conservation firms specializing in 19th- and 20th-century American furniture with a minimum of five years continuous operation or experience and must provide relevant past performance references. All work must comply with the American Institute for Conservation Code of Ethics and Guidelines for Practices. Contractors must submit a Certificate of Insurance for a fine arts policy with the U.S. Senate Commission on Art as additionally insured for $75,000.

The scope includes condition assessment, development of a project plan with minimum two treatment scenarios, finish sampling and analysis, x-radiography through the Senate's preferred vendor (MAS Imaging Portable Radiology), conservation treatment, and comprehensive documentation including a treatment report, photographs, and x-ray images. Contractors may propose two leather upholstery options: authentic Morocco leather or off-the-shelf Spinneybeck leather. Pricing must be submitted on a not-to-exceed basis with fully burdened labor costs including all administrative, material, and travel expenses. The Senate will handle all packing and shipping logistics and intends to display the conserved chair in the Capitol Visitor Center's Exhibition Hall.