Armchair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1800-1815
MediumWood, black paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 39 7/8 x 21 13/16 x 29in. (101.3 x 55.4 x 73.7cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of F. Ruth Johnson
Object number1982.62.0
DescriptionBlack painted rocking armchair in the Windsor style, with an extension top, a square-back, bamboo-turned bows, posts, arms, legs, and stretchers, and a plank seat. The back of the chair is formed by a rectangular crest rail atop five tall spindles that extend down to form part of the square back, which consists of two horizontal rails, or bows, between two four-part bamboo-turned posts. Below the bottom bow are the five spindles that form the extension top and one additional spindle at each side. Each arm consists of a three-part bamboo-turning and is supported by two spindles and one three-part bamboo turned arm support at the front. The plank seat is square with rounded corners; the top surface is saucered, or recessed slightly. Below the seat are four three-part bamboo-turned legs that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom. Each side of the armchair has a single two-part bamboo-turned stretcher joining the lower legs. A medial stretcher with three-part bamboo turnings extends between the two side stretchers. The chair has two rockers, one at each side, that are joined to the bottom of the legs.
Condition: The rightmost spindle in the back of the chair has broken near the bottom and been repaired. The black paint is a later addition and is worn slightly on the front tip of each rocker.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles. The five spindles extend down through the two bows of the square back. The bows are each tenoned into the top of the turned posts. The lowest bow is also supported on a tenon at the top of the two shorter spindles. The back of each arm is tenoned into the post; the front is supported on a through tenon at the top of each of the two spindles and the bamboo-turned post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The front of the spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a lap joint at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is pinned to this joint at the bottom of the two side legs.
NotesHistorical Note: According to the donor, this chair came from the Preserved Marshall Tavern in Avon, Connecticut.Condition: The rightmost spindle in the back of the chair has broken near the bottom and been repaired. The black paint is a later addition and is worn slightly on the front tip of each rocker.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the five spindles. The five spindles extend down through the two bows of the square back. The bows are each tenoned into the top of the turned posts. The lowest bow is also supported on a tenon at the top of the two shorter spindles. The back of each arm is tenoned into the post; the front is supported on a through tenon at the top of each of the two spindles and the bamboo-turned post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The front of the spindle platform is outlined with a narrow groove. The posts and arm supports are tenoned down through the plank seat. The seat is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the four legs. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs; the medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers. The rockers fit into a lap joint at the lower outer side of each leg; each rocker is pinned to this joint at the bottom of the two side legs.
Status
Not on view
