Armchair
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Reverend Thomas Robbins
(American, 1777 - 1856)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1805-1820
MediumMaple, ash, rush
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 44 1/4 x 23 1/4 x 20 1/16in. (112.4 x 59.1 x 51cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of Reverend Thomas Robbins
Object number1856.1.6
DescriptionBlack-painted tall armchair in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style, with a slat back, turned front legs and spindles, and a rush seat. The back of the chair is formed by three plain, turned tails, over three vertical medallion spindles, over three plain, turned tails, all between two stiles each with a small finial at the top. The three spindles consist of a vertical rectangle in the center with canted corners, and a tapered section above and below. Above the seat, each cylindrical stile curves backward. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical leg that curves back slightly. Each arm is bowed outward at the center, and extends three quarters of the depth of the seat. Each arm ends in a cylindrical handhold, that is supported by a baluster-shaped arm support that is joined to the side seat rail. Centered below each arm are three slender, baluster-and-ring turned spindles, over a curved rail that joins the arm support and the stile. Each front leg has a block on top that supports the front corners of the trapezoidal rush seat. The rush seat sits just inside seat rail facings that cover the front and sides of the rush. Each front leg is tapered slightly, with a recessed ring at the top and the ankle. The front of the armchair has three plain, turned stretchers that are bowed back in the center. Each side of the armchair has two plain, turned stretchers joining the legs. The back of the chair has a single plain, turned stretcher.
Painted Decoration. The armchair frame is painted black overall with gilded lines accentuating the stiles, spindles, front legs and front stretchers. The front of each arm support has an elongated floral design. The front of the front seat rail facing has an abstract design of gold leaves. The rush seat is painted with a thin layer of yellow paint)
Condition: The black and gold paint is worn off the top of each arm, the front seat rail facing, and the front stretchers. The upper stiles, front legs, and arm supports are well worn and scratched. The paint on the rush seat has flaked off and accumulated dirt over the entire surface of the seat. Nails have been added to reinforce the joints where the back seat rail meets the stiles, and where the left arm support meets the side seat rail.
Design and Construction Details: The six turned rails that form the back of the chair are tenoned into the stiles. The spindles are tenoned into the rail above and below. The back of each arm is tenoned into the stile; the front is supported on a tenon at the top of the arm support. The bottom of each arm support is screwed into the side seat rail and extends down about one inch below the side seat rail. The rail below each arm is tenoned into the arm support and stile; the spindles are tenoned into the arm above the into the rail below. The seat rails are tenoned into the stiles at the back, and into a block that is supported by a tenon at the top of each front leg. The seat rails are probably bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The side and front seat rail facings are nailed over the rush and into the seat rails. Each stretcher is tenoned into the lower legs.
NotesOwner Note: Reverend Thomas Robbins of East Windsor, Connecticut, was the first librarian of the Connecticut Historical Society.Painted Decoration. The armchair frame is painted black overall with gilded lines accentuating the stiles, spindles, front legs and front stretchers. The front of each arm support has an elongated floral design. The front of the front seat rail facing has an abstract design of gold leaves. The rush seat is painted with a thin layer of yellow paint)
Condition: The black and gold paint is worn off the top of each arm, the front seat rail facing, and the front stretchers. The upper stiles, front legs, and arm supports are well worn and scratched. The paint on the rush seat has flaked off and accumulated dirt over the entire surface of the seat. Nails have been added to reinforce the joints where the back seat rail meets the stiles, and where the left arm support meets the side seat rail.
Design and Construction Details: The six turned rails that form the back of the chair are tenoned into the stiles. The spindles are tenoned into the rail above and below. The back of each arm is tenoned into the stile; the front is supported on a tenon at the top of the arm support. The bottom of each arm support is screwed into the side seat rail and extends down about one inch below the side seat rail. The rail below each arm is tenoned into the arm support and stile; the spindles are tenoned into the arm above the into the rail below. The seat rails are tenoned into the stiles at the back, and into a block that is supported by a tenon at the top of each front leg. The seat rails are probably bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The side and front seat rail facings are nailed over the rush and into the seat rails. Each stretcher is tenoned into the lower legs.
Status
Not on view
