LEATHER STRAP CHAIR (1950 Santa Fe Style) In the early 20th century, a number of young and aspiring artists, anthropologists and architects arrived in Santa Fe from various cities on the East Coast. They were drawn to region for many reasons, some wanting to immerse themselves in the Native American culture, some simply to paint the vast mountainous expanses and others to start their lives anew. Regardless of the reason for coming to Santa Fe all were prolific in their creative endeavors. Many fine works from this group were purchased by the New Mexico Museum of Art and other fine national cultural institutions. Among this bohemian group were a few artists who tried their hand at furniture making. Though they were not as skilled as the local Hispanic craftsmen, they developed a unique, simple, rough-hewn style that blended Spanish, Mexican, and Pueblo Indian design motifs. It is from such a piece of furniture, now in the collections of the New Mexico History Museum, that the leather strap settee was developed.