Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1790-1810
MediumTurned and joined wood (possibly maple and ash), rush, and paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth): 39 x 18 3/4 x 15 3/4in. (99.1 x 47.6cm, 15 3/4in.)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of William C. Boardman
Object number1999.115.16
DescriptionSide chair in the Queen Anne, or late baroque, style, with an arched crest rail, a splat back, turned stiles, legs, and stretchers, and a rush seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crest rail atop two turned stiles; the top edge of the crest rail is arched, and each top corner has a projecting lobe, or ear. Centered below the crest rail is a solid, vase-shaped splat, which attaches at the bottom to the stay rail. Above the seat, each stile is turned with baluster-and-ring forms. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical back leg and foot. Each front leg is turned with three sections, with an inverted cone over a cylinder, over a conical foot. Each front leg has a rounded top and extends slightly higher than the rush seat, which is trapezoidal in shape. The front stretcher is turned with double-baluster-and-ring forms. Each side has two plain turned stretchers connecting the legs; there is one plain turned stretcher in the back.
Painted decoration (later addition). The chair frame has an overall black painted surface with painted gold decoration. The crest rail and splat, and the turned decoration on the upper stiles, front legs, and front stretcher are outlined with a gilded line. The center of the crest rail is marked "1770" in gilded numbers, and the splat is has a gilded "B" in a Gothic font. The stay rail has a gilded geometric design of a modified Greek key.
Condition: The black paint and gilding on the frame is a later addition; this is applied over earlier grey paint. The paint is worn and flaking, especially on the bottom of the splat, the stay rail, the front legs, and front stretcher. The front stretcher is well worn; the black paint is applied over the worn portions of the stretcher. The rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by round tenons at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. A rectangular tenon at the top and the bottom of the splat joints it to the crest rail above and to the stay rail below. Each end of the stay rail is tenoned and pinned into the stiles. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and stretchers have round tenons that extend into the front and back legs.
Painted decoration (later addition). The chair frame has an overall black painted surface with painted gold decoration. The crest rail and splat, and the turned decoration on the upper stiles, front legs, and front stretcher are outlined with a gilded line. The center of the crest rail is marked "1770" in gilded numbers, and the splat is has a gilded "B" in a Gothic font. The stay rail has a gilded geometric design of a modified Greek key.
Condition: The black paint and gilding on the frame is a later addition; this is applied over earlier grey paint. The paint is worn and flaking, especially on the bottom of the splat, the stay rail, the front legs, and front stretcher. The front stretcher is well worn; the black paint is applied over the worn portions of the stretcher. The rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by round tenons at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. A rectangular tenon at the top and the bottom of the splat joints it to the crest rail above and to the stay rail below. Each end of the stay rail is tenoned and pinned into the stiles. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and stretchers have round tenons that extend into the front and back legs.
Status
Not on view
