Side Chair
ChairmakerMade by
Unknown
Date1850-1860
MediumMaple, cane
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 32 9/16 x 16 3/4 x 16in. (82.7 x 42.5 x 40.6cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Fitzhugh McMaster
Object number1985.98.4
DescriptionPainted side chair in the Rococo revival style, with a carved and pierced crest rail, turned spindles, front legs, and front stretcher, and a woven cane seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crest rail at the top between two round stiles, each with an acorn-shaped finial on top. The top center edge of the crest rail is arched, and carved with an abstract spray of leaves, over a pierced opening. The bottom edge of the crest rail is shaped with five arches, which correspond to the shaped upper edge of the stay rail which has five inverted arches. Between the crest rail and stay rail are four slender turned spindles, each one located between two arches. The bottom edge of the stay rail is horizontal. Above the seat, each stile is slanted back. Below the seat, each stile forms a back leg that is curved back. The seat consists of woven cane with flat seat rails that have a rounded outer edge. The front rail is serpentine, and has rounded front corners. Each side seat rail is bowed slightly in the center toward the middle of the seat. Each side of the front seat rail is supported on a leg is turned with cylinder and ring forms over a tapered ankle, and small ball foot. The front of the chair has a baluster-and-ring turned stretcher connecting the front legs. Each side of the chair has two plain, turned stretchers. The back of the chair has a single turned stretcher. The chair frame is made of maple and painted in brown and black to imitate rosewood graining.
Condition: The front seat rail and all four legs are lightly scratched and scuffed. Each side seat rail has tilted slightly down toward the center of the chair. The cane is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail and stay rail are tenoned into the stiles; the spindles are tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below. Tool marks are visible on the back of the right stile. The back seat rail is tenoned into the stiles; this joint is secured with a nail through the side of the stile. The back seat rail is deeper than the stile; the back of each side seat rail is tenoned into the front of the back seat rail. The front of each side seat rail is tenoned into the back of the front seat rail. The front seat rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each front leg. The stretchers are tenoned into the front and back legs.
Condition: The front seat rail and all four legs are lightly scratched and scuffed. Each side seat rail has tilted slightly down toward the center of the chair. The cane is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail and stay rail are tenoned into the stiles; the spindles are tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below. Tool marks are visible on the back of the right stile. The back seat rail is tenoned into the stiles; this joint is secured with a nail through the side of the stile. The back seat rail is deeper than the stile; the back of each side seat rail is tenoned into the front of the back seat rail. The front of each side seat rail is tenoned into the back of the front seat rail. The front seat rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each front leg. The stretchers are tenoned into the front and back legs.
Status
Not on view
