Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1825-1835
MediumMaple, rush
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 33 5/16 x 18 1/2 x 19 7/8in. (84.6 x 47 x 50.5cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number2006.23.0
DescriptionPainted side chair in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style, with a roll-top, turned front legs and stretchers, a shaped slat, and a trapezoidal rush seat. The back of the chair is formed by a turned, roll-top crest rail atop two stiles. The crest rail consists of a center section that has a front and back rectangular surface that curves to meet at the top and bottom edges; this is flanked by a series of ring turnings. Below the crest rail are two slats between the stiles; the top slat is taller and shaped, while the lower slat is slender and rectangular. The top slat is shaped around the stenciled decoration consisting of one cornucopia at each side with fruit and leaves between. The crest rail and slats are bowed back slightly in the center. Above the seat, each stile is curved back and has flat front and side surfaces over a band of three turned rings just above the seat. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical back leg over a tapered foot. Each front leg has a block on top that supports the front corners of the trapezoidal rush seat. The rush seat sits just inside four seat rail facings that cover all four sides of the rush. The side seat rail facings are bowed down in the center and have a scrolled front that correspond to the semi-circular scroll of the front seat rail facing. Each front leg is straight, but raked slightly out from top to bottom. Each front leg is turned with ring and cylinder forms over a tapered ankle and small ball foot. The front of the chair has a single stretcher turned with ring and tapered forms that connects the two front legs. Each side of the chair has two plain, turned stretchers. The back of the chair has a single plain, turned stretcher.
Painted Decoration. The chair frame is faux grained, or painted with red and brown to imitate rosewood. The shaped top slat has a gold and black stenciled decoration of two cornucopias, with leaves and fruit between. The center of the crest rail, the front of the upper stiles, the front seat rail facing, the front legs and the front stretcher each have a gold stenciled leaves. The chair has gold bands outlining the turned rings on the crest rail, stiles, front seat rail facing, front legs and front stretcher. Thin gold lines outline the upper stiles, the lower slat, the side seat rail facings, the block at the top of each front leg, and the side and rear stretchers.
Condition: Portions of the painted gold decoration have been reapplied, especially the bands of gold on the turned rings and the leaves on the front seat rail facing. Some areas of paint are flaking, especially on the back of the crest rail, the lower legs, and the side seat rail facings. The front ankles and feet are scratched and worn.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is joined to each stile with a lap joint at the top back of the stile and crest rail; this joint is secured with a screw through the back that is concealed with filler. Each slat is tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat is constructed of four hidden seat rails that are tenoned into the stiles at the back and into a block at each front corner of the seat. The blocks at the front of the seat are supported on a tenon at the top of the front legs. The rush is woven around this frame. The seat rail facings are nailed in place over the hidden seat rails on all four sides of the seat. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs.
Painted Decoration. The chair frame is faux grained, or painted with red and brown to imitate rosewood. The shaped top slat has a gold and black stenciled decoration of two cornucopias, with leaves and fruit between. The center of the crest rail, the front of the upper stiles, the front seat rail facing, the front legs and the front stretcher each have a gold stenciled leaves. The chair has gold bands outlining the turned rings on the crest rail, stiles, front seat rail facing, front legs and front stretcher. Thin gold lines outline the upper stiles, the lower slat, the side seat rail facings, the block at the top of each front leg, and the side and rear stretchers.
Condition: Portions of the painted gold decoration have been reapplied, especially the bands of gold on the turned rings and the leaves on the front seat rail facing. Some areas of paint are flaking, especially on the back of the crest rail, the lower legs, and the side seat rail facings. The front ankles and feet are scratched and worn.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is joined to each stile with a lap joint at the top back of the stile and crest rail; this joint is secured with a screw through the back that is concealed with filler. Each slat is tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat is constructed of four hidden seat rails that are tenoned into the stiles at the back and into a block at each front corner of the seat. The blocks at the front of the seat are supported on a tenon at the top of the front legs. The rush is woven around this frame. The seat rail facings are nailed in place over the hidden seat rails on all four sides of the seat. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs.
Status
Not on view
