Last week, American collector Susan Jaffe Tane paid 10,795 USD for two floral-patterned beige upholstered armchairs from Christie's auction house. These are the two chairs featured in a viral photo from 2021, showing former US president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn Carter, alongside then-US president Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden.

The Carters and Bidens pose for a photo at the Carter family's home in Plains, Georgia, in April 2021. Photo: AP

The photograph, taken with a wide-angle lens at the Carter family's private home in Plains, Georgia, created an optical illusion. It made the room appear like a dollhouse, with the Bidens seemingly towering like giants next to the Carters, contributing to its widespread popularity online.

Julia Jones, a Christie's employee, highlighted the chairs' role in making the Carter family seem more approachable, which was her reason for selecting them for auction. The unique image captured a moment of warmth and intimacy between the two presidential families.

Susan Jaffe Tane, the collector, expressed her emotional connection to the image. "When I saw the photo of President Carter and his wife, I was deeply moved," she said. The chairs will now reside in Tane's Manhattan apartment, where she curates a collection of dozens of books related to US presidents.

Amy Carter, daughter of the former president and his wife, announced that the family plans to donate a portion of the auction proceeds to a non-profit organization founded by the Carters. This organization is dedicated to promoting peace, protecting human rights, preventing epidemics, and supporting mental health resources globally.

Hong Hanh (According to The Washington Post)