Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1770-1780
MediumMaple frame, tulip poplar splat, red watered moreen, linen
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 37 1/8 x 21 1/4 x 19 1/4in. (94.3 x 54 x 48.9cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1984.103.0
DescriptionMaple side chair in the Chippendale, or rococo, style, with a yoke-shaped crest rail, a splat-back, straight front legs and stretchers, and an upholstered slip seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crest rail atop two stiles. The crest rail has a recessed center section with a small spur at each side; to each side of center is an arched section that ends in a sharp ear where the crest rail meets the stile. Centered below the crest rail is a solid, vase-shaped splat, which attaches at the bottom to a rectangular stay rail immediately over the back seat rail. Above the seat, each stile is slants backward slightly. Below the seat, each stile forms a back leg that is slanted toward the center back of the chair. The seat is trapezoidal, with an upholstered removable slip seat. The front legs are straight and extend from the height of the feet down to form a plain foot. All four sides of the chair have a plain, rectangular stretcher.
Condition: The frame has been re-glued. The red moreen on the slip seat is replaced; all other upholstery materials are original. The finish is original and has been cleaned.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top front edge of the stay rail has cyma molding. The top edge of the side and front seat rails, and the top of each leg, has ovolo molding. The exterior corner of each front leg, and the top exterior edge of each front and side stretcher is molded with an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame. The crest rail is supported on a rectangular tenon at the top of each stile and on a long rectangular tenon at the top of the splat. The back edges of each stile, above the seat, are chamfered. The back side edges of the splat are chamfered. The splat is tenoned into the back seat rail; the stay rail has a rectangular cut out in the back to accommodate the shape of the splat, and is nailed down on top of the back seat rail. The back seat rail, each side seat rail, and the front seat rail are tenoned and pinned into the back or front legs. The interior top edge of the front and side seat rails, as well as the top of each front leg, has a rabbet to support the slip seat. Each stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The back exterior corner of each back leg is chamfered slightly. The front legs are more slender than the back legs. Tool marks are visible on the back of the frame.
Upholstered Slip Seat. The upholstered slip seat consists of the present salmon, or red, watered moreen (replaced), over an undercover, stuffing, sackcloth, webbing, and a trapezoidal frame. The moreen is tacked to the frame with small iron nails (replaced). Larger, rose-headed iron nails remain in the underside of the frame.
Condition: The frame has been re-glued. The red moreen on the slip seat is replaced; all other upholstery materials are original. The finish is original and has been cleaned.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top front edge of the stay rail has cyma molding. The top edge of the side and front seat rails, and the top of each leg, has ovolo molding. The exterior corner of each front leg, and the top exterior edge of each front and side stretcher is molded with an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame. The crest rail is supported on a rectangular tenon at the top of each stile and on a long rectangular tenon at the top of the splat. The back edges of each stile, above the seat, are chamfered. The back side edges of the splat are chamfered. The splat is tenoned into the back seat rail; the stay rail has a rectangular cut out in the back to accommodate the shape of the splat, and is nailed down on top of the back seat rail. The back seat rail, each side seat rail, and the front seat rail are tenoned and pinned into the back or front legs. The interior top edge of the front and side seat rails, as well as the top of each front leg, has a rabbet to support the slip seat. Each stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The back exterior corner of each back leg is chamfered slightly. The front legs are more slender than the back legs. Tool marks are visible on the back of the frame.
Upholstered Slip Seat. The upholstered slip seat consists of the present salmon, or red, watered moreen (replaced), over an undercover, stuffing, sackcloth, webbing, and a trapezoidal frame. The moreen is tacked to the frame with small iron nails (replaced). Larger, rose-headed iron nails remain in the underside of the frame.
Status
Not on view
