Armchair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1790-1800
MediumOak, ash, maple, pine
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 34 7/16 x 23 5/8 x 22 1/2in. (87.5 x 60 x 57.2cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of Roderick Bissell Jones
Object number1974.56.941
DescriptionArmchair in the Windsor style, with a sack-back, turned posts, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The sack back consists of an arched rail over a horizontal bow, or wooden stick, that encloses seven long spindles on the back of the chair and curves forward to form the arms and flat scrolled handholds (the left arm is replaced). Each arm is supported by two additional short spindles and a slender post at the front that is turned with baluster forms. The back of the armchair is slanted back; the spindles and posts are joined to the seat in a semi-circular arrangement. The plank seat is oval with a saucered, or recessed, top surface with a flat surface at the back where the spindles and posts join the seat. The sides and back of the plank are curved and chamfered, or cut at an angle. Below the seat are four turned legs (one is replaced) that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom; each is turned with a baluster form over a tapered ankle and foot. Each side of the chair has a single stretcher with an ovoid form in the center. Between the stretcher is a single medial stretcher, also with an ovoid form in the center.
Condition: The left arm is replaced; the replacement is supported on an iron bar screwed to the underside of the repaired joint and with wedges inserted through the through tenons on the top of the arm. The back left leg is replaced. The arched rail has split at the left-most full-height spindle. Each of the joints at the top of the legs are reinforced with an iron bracket screwed to the leg and the underside of the seat. The finish is worn on the handholds, spindles, plank seat and front legs. Some small gouges of wood are missing from the front of the plank seat.
Design and Construction Details: The arched rail is tenoned down through the bow. The arched rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the seven spindles that extend through the bow; five of these seven spindles have through tenons. The bow is further supported on through tenons at the top of two spindles and a post at each side. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the plank seat; a wedge is inserted through the end of each of these tenons. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The plank is supported on through tenons at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. All the tenons are inserted at an angle, where necessary, to give the proper slant to the bow and each of the spindles and legs.
Condition: The left arm is replaced; the replacement is supported on an iron bar screwed to the underside of the repaired joint and with wedges inserted through the through tenons on the top of the arm. The back left leg is replaced. The arched rail has split at the left-most full-height spindle. Each of the joints at the top of the legs are reinforced with an iron bracket screwed to the leg and the underside of the seat. The finish is worn on the handholds, spindles, plank seat and front legs. Some small gouges of wood are missing from the front of the plank seat.
Design and Construction Details: The arched rail is tenoned down through the bow. The arched rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the seven spindles that extend through the bow; five of these seven spindles have through tenons. The bow is further supported on through tenons at the top of two spindles and a post at each side. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the plank seat; a wedge is inserted through the end of each of these tenons. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The plank is supported on through tenons at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. All the tenons are inserted at an angle, where necessary, to give the proper slant to the bow and each of the spindles and legs.
Status
Not on view
