Armchair
Furniture MakerPossibly made by the
Spencer Shops
(American)
Date1735-1760
MediumMaple, ash, rush
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 49 3/16 x 24 1/4 x 22 3/4in. (124.9 x 61.6 x 57.8cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LinePossibly a gift of Isabel Winthrop Stuart
Object number1840.28.0
DescriptionMaple armchair in the Queen Anne, or late baroque, style, with a molded crest rail, a vase-shaped splat, turned stretchers and front legs, and a rush seat. The back of the chair is formed by an arched crest rail with an undulating upper edge atop two stiles. Centered below the crest rail is a solid, vase-shaped splat, which attaches at the bottom to a stay rail. The lower edge of the stay rail is shaped with a horizontal section flanked by an upward curve with a chamfered edge, ending in a circular scroll near each stile. Each stile has a molded front, consisting of a projecting semi-circle flanked by a bead, that extends up onto the sides and top of the crest rail and down to the back seat rail. Above the seat, each stile angles backward. Below the seat, each stile forms a straight back leg with a backward-slanting foot. Each arm slopes downward and is bowed down in the center; each arm has a scrolled handhold that extends well past the top of the front leg. The top surface of each arm and handhold has a raised ridge. Each front leg is turned with a baluster over three blocks, each separated by baluster forms, over a Spanish foot. Above the seat, each front leg supports the arm. The chair has a trapezoidal rush seat. Each side of the chair has a turned baluster-and-ring form stretcher below the arm and above the rush seat, that joins the upper portion of the front leg to the stile at the back. The front, sides, and back of the armchair each have one stretcher; each stretcher is turned with a double-baluster form. The frame is painted black.
Condition: A section of wood is missing from the back right rail; this is painted in with black paint. The chair is repainted, and the rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by a tenon at the top of each stile; these joints are secured with wooden pins. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below; both of these joints are double pinned. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the stile. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the arm above. 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 or back legs.
Condition: A section of wood is missing from the back right rail; this is painted in with black paint. The chair is repainted, and the rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by a tenon at the top of each stile; these joints are secured with wooden pins. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below; both of these joints are double pinned. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the stile. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the arm above. 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 or back legs.
Status
Not on view
