Side Chair
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Enfield Shaker Community
(American, 1792 - 1918)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1830-1860
MediumMaple, with black and teal tape
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 38 3/4 x 18 3/4 x 15 3/16in. (98.4 x 47.6 x 38.6cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1963.16.4
DescriptionMaple side chair in the Shaker style, with a slat-back, turned stiles, legs, and stretchers, and a woven tape seat. The back of the chair is formed by three horizontal slats between two cylindrical stiles, each with an acorn-shaped finial on the top. Each slat has an arched top edge and a straight bottom edge. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical back leg over a tilting foot. Each front leg is cylindrical and has a rounded top that extends slightly higher than the seat. The seat is trapezoidal, and consists of strips of black and teal tape that are woven around the seat rails. The front and each side of the chair have two plain turned stretchers connecting the lower portion of the legs. The back of the chair has one plain turned stretcher.
Condition: The tape around the right seat rail has broken. As a result, some portions of the right side of the seat have unraveled.
Design and Construction Details: The slats are tenoned into the upper stiles; the top slat has a wooden pin through the back of each tenon. The cylindrical seat rails and the stretchers are tenoned into the upper legs. The bottom of each back leg has a ball-and-socket chair tilter. Narrow black lines circle the stiles and legs, marking the placement of the stiles, seat rails, and stretchers.
NotesHistorical and Style Note: The Shakers, also known as Believers, or the United Society of Believers in the First and Second Appearing of Christ, were a religious sect founded by Ann Lee in the 1770s. The Shakers constructed their own furniture, either for use or for sale, that is known for its simplicity, utility, and craftsmanship.Condition: The tape around the right seat rail has broken. As a result, some portions of the right side of the seat have unraveled.
Design and Construction Details: The slats are tenoned into the upper stiles; the top slat has a wooden pin through the back of each tenon. The cylindrical seat rails and the stretchers are tenoned into the upper legs. The bottom of each back leg has a ball-and-socket chair tilter. Narrow black lines circle the stiles and legs, marking the placement of the stiles, seat rails, and stretchers.
Historical Note: Although the object file does not indicate that this item originated in the Enfield Shaker Community, it is most likely from here as the Connecticut Historical Society would only have acquired this piece if it were from Connecticut, and the Enfield Community was the only Shaker community in the state. (Malley, 3/2/2004)
Status
Not on view
