Armchair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1795-1810
MediumMaple, ash, oak, pine
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 33 15/16 x 24 3/4 x 21 1/2in. (86.2 x 62.9 x 54.6cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of Martha R. Lambert
Object number1979.68.904
DescriptionBlack painted armchair in the Windsor style, with a continuous bow-back, turned posts, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The continuous bow back consists of a bow, or a wooden stick, bent in an arch that sweeps forward at each side to form an arm and flat scrolled handhold (left handhold is replaced). The front of the bow is flat with a beaded edge; the top of the arms are flat. The bow is supported by thirteen swelled spindles of varying height and two turned posts at either side. The swelled spindles have a bulge in the lower half and are tapered up to the top. The posts are turned with slender 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 pine plank seat is oval and has a saddled seat, or a contoured upper surface with a raised ridge at the front center, 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 that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom; each is turned with baluster and ring forms 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 handhold has broken off and been replaced. The paint has worn off of the handholds and front feet, and portions of the front of the spindles and seat. The joint at the top of each leg has been re-glued.
Design and Construction Details: The bow is supported on a through tenon at the top of the posts and all but two spindles; two of the spindles are only tenoned up into the bow. The through tenons have a small wedge through the end of the tenon. Each spindle is tenoned down into the spindle platform. Each post is tenoned down through the plank seat; each of these also has a wedge through the end of the tenon. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The seat is constructed of a solid plank of wood and supported on a through 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. 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 handhold has broken off and been replaced. The paint has worn off of the handholds and front feet, and portions of the front of the spindles and seat. The joint at the top of each leg has been re-glued.
Design and Construction Details: The bow is supported on a through tenon at the top of the posts and all but two spindles; two of the spindles are only tenoned up into the bow. The through tenons have a small wedge through the end of the tenon. Each spindle is tenoned down into the spindle platform. Each post is tenoned down through the plank seat; each of these also has a wedge through the end of the tenon. The spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The seat is constructed of a solid plank of wood and supported on a through 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. 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
