Highchair
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Thomas Hart Hooker
(American, 1745 - 1775)
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
Sarah Whitman
(American, 1747 - 1837)
ChairmakerMade by
Unknown
Dateabout 1770
MediumMaple, rush
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 37 3/8 x 16 3/4 x 17 3/4in. (94.9 x 42.5 x 45.1cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Mrs. Ostrom Enders, Mr. Dudley Vaill Talcott, Mr. Charles Hooker Talcott, and Mrs. M. Garry
Object number1985.38.7
DescriptionHighchair in the William and Mary, or early baroque, style, with a slat-back, turned upper stiles, arms, front legs, and stretchers, and a rush seat. The back of the chair is formed by three horizontal slats between two stiles; each stile has a compressed ball and ring form finial at the top, over cylinder and ring forms. Each slat curves back in the center and has an arched top edge; the top slat has the steepest arch, which each succeeding slat becoming progressively flatter. Below the seat, each stile forms a square back leg. Each arm is straight and has a cylinder and ring form handhold that extends past the top of the front leg. Each front leg is turned with baluster, cylinder, and ring forms over a small, baluster-form foot. Above the seat, each front leg supports the arm. The chair has a trapezoidal rush seat. The front of the chair has a foot rest connecting the front legs. All four sides of the chair have a plain turned stretcher.
Condition: The foot rest may be a later replacement; it was deliberately made from wood that had insect holes. The back of the left stile, between and second and third slat, is gouged. The surface of the front legs, the slats, and the upper portion of the stiles is well worn and lightly scratched. The front feet and rush seat are replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The top slat is tenoned and pinned into the top of each stile; the slats below are tenoned into each stile. Tool marks are visible on the front of the top and middle slat. The back of each arm is tenoned into the stile. The top of each stile is turned, while the leg below is square and roughly formed. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the handhold above. The front end of each arm has a small cylindrical hole; the hole on the right handhold is larger. Each seat rail is probably bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and stretchers are tenoned into the front and back legs. Each back corner of the foot rest is tenoned and possibly nailed into the front leg. Faint grooves circle the stiles and legs, marking the placement of the slats, seat rails, and stretchers.
Condition: The foot rest may be a later replacement; it was deliberately made from wood that had insect holes. The back of the left stile, between and second and third slat, is gouged. The surface of the front legs, the slats, and the upper portion of the stiles is well worn and lightly scratched. The front feet and rush seat are replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The top slat is tenoned and pinned into the top of each stile; the slats below are tenoned into each stile. Tool marks are visible on the front of the top and middle slat. The back of each arm is tenoned into the stile. The top of each stile is turned, while the leg below is square and roughly formed. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the handhold above. The front end of each arm has a small cylindrical hole; the hole on the right handhold is larger. Each seat rail is probably bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and stretchers are tenoned into the front and back legs. Each back corner of the foot rest is tenoned and possibly nailed into the front leg. Faint grooves circle the stiles and legs, marking the placement of the slats, seat rails, and stretchers.
Status
Not on view
