Side Chairs
Furniture MakerMade by
Allen & Tracy
(American)
Date1815-1820
MediumPine, maple
Pine, maple, red paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (height x width x depth of each chair): 35 1/4 x 17 x 14 1/2in. (89.5 x 43.2 x 36.8cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineThe Newman S. Hungerford Museum Fund
Object number2003.163.1-.2
DescriptionPair of side chairs in the Windsor style, with a double cross slat back, a plank seat, and bamboo-turned legs. The back of each chair is formed by a rectangular crest at the top between two posts. The crest rail is bowed back in the center. Below this are crossed double slats, above a horizontal rail, over three arrow-shaped vertical slats that extend down to the seat. Above the seat, each post is curved back, and has a flat front and two turned rings just below the height of the horizontal rail. Each pine plank seat is shield-shaped with a saucered, or recessed, surface outlined with a narrow groove. Each seat is supported by four, maple, three-part bamboo-turned legs. On each side of each chair, a single two-part bamboo-turned stretcher joins the lower legs. Between each set of side stretchers is a single, two-part bamboo-turned medial stretcher. Each medial stretcher is turned with a ball flanked by a tapered form; the front of the stretcher is flat. Each chair is painted red.
Condition: The red paint on each chair is well worn or flaking and scratched, especially on the crest rails, posts, seats, and lower legs. Black paint is visible beneath the red paint on the underside of the plank seat.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail, slats, and lower rail are tenoned into the posts; these joints are reinforced with nails through the back of the posts. The slats are tenoned up into the lower rail and down into the seat. The posts are tenoned down through the plank seat; a wedge is inserted through the end of each of these tenons (. The plank seat is chamfered at the lower front and side edges. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers.
Condition: The red paint on each chair is well worn or flaking and scratched, especially on the crest rails, posts, seats, and lower legs. Black paint is visible beneath the red paint on the underside of the plank seat.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail, slats, and lower rail are tenoned into the posts; these joints are reinforced with nails through the back of the posts. The slats are tenoned up into the lower rail and down into the seat. The posts are tenoned down through the plank seat; a wedge is inserted through the end of each of these tenons (. The plank seat is chamfered at the lower front and side edges. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers.
Status
On view
