Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1780-1800
MediumCherry, maple, light blue wool, and crewel canvaswork on linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 37 1/2 x 20 13/16 x 19in. (95.3 x 52.9 x 48.3cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
Object number1955.18.1a,b
DescriptionCherry side chair in the Chippendale, or rococo style, with an arched crest rail, a cross slat-back, straight front legs, and a removable upholstered slip seat . The back of the chair is formed by an arched crest rail atop two stiles. The crest rail is arched in the center, with a small spur on the underside center of the arch; at each end of the crest rail there is an upward pointed spur over a rounded ear. Below the crest rail, there are two horizontal cross slats between the stiles. Above the seat, each stile is slanted backward. Below the seat, each stile forms a back leg that is slanted toward the center back of the chair. The seat is trapezoidal, with a removable slip seat upholstered with light blue worsted wool (replacing the original needlework cover). The slip seat sits just inside four plain seat rails at the top of the legs. A solid semi-circular knee bracket is located at the top of each front leg, where the leg joints the front and side seat rails. The front legs are straight and extend from the height of the feet down to a plain foot. The back and both sides of the chair each have a plain, rectangular stretcher. A medial stretcher connects the two side stretchers.
Condition: The frame was refinished twice; in 1955, and again in 1985. The slip seat frame is original, but it has been re-stuffed and re-upholstered. The original needlework cover is badly worn toward the front and back left side. The colors have faded, except where the needlework was wrapped around the frame.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top edge of the front and side seat rails, the top of each leg, the back top edge of the rail nailed onto the back seat rail, the exterior corner of each front leg, and the top exterior edge of the back and side stretchers has molding consisting of an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each stile. Each slat is tenoned into the stiles. A narrow rail is nailed down on top of the back seat rail and overhangs it slightly. Each seat rail is tenoned and pinned into the top of the legs. The interior top edge of the front and side seat rails, and the top of each leg, each have a rabbet to support the slip seat. The knee brackets are nailed to the underside of the front seat rail and to the side of the front leg. Each side and back stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into the two side stretchers.
Upholstered Slip Seat and Needlework Cover. The chair is accompanied by a re-upholstered slip seat and the original needlework cover from the same slip seat. The reupholstered slip seat consists of a light blue worsted wool over stuffing (replaced), sackcloth, cut canvas webbing, and the original wooden frame. The wool is tacked to the underside of the frame. The original needlework seat cover (now damaged) consists of an Irish stitch pattern of crewel yarn on linen backing.
Condition: The frame was refinished twice; in 1955, and again in 1985. The slip seat frame is original, but it has been re-stuffed and re-upholstered. The original needlework cover is badly worn toward the front and back left side. The colors have faded, except where the needlework was wrapped around the frame.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top edge of the front and side seat rails, the top of each leg, the back top edge of the rail nailed onto the back seat rail, the exterior corner of each front leg, and the top exterior edge of the back and side stretchers has molding consisting of an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each stile. Each slat is tenoned into the stiles. A narrow rail is nailed down on top of the back seat rail and overhangs it slightly. Each seat rail is tenoned and pinned into the top of the legs. The interior top edge of the front and side seat rails, and the top of each leg, each have a rabbet to support the slip seat. The knee brackets are nailed to the underside of the front seat rail and to the side of the front leg. Each side and back stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into the two side stretchers.
Upholstered Slip Seat and Needlework Cover. The chair is accompanied by a re-upholstered slip seat and the original needlework cover from the same slip seat. The reupholstered slip seat consists of a light blue worsted wool over stuffing (replaced), sackcloth, cut canvas webbing, and the original wooden frame. The wool is tacked to the underside of the frame. The original needlework seat cover (now damaged) consists of an Irish stitch pattern of crewel yarn on linen backing.
Status
Not on view
