Side Chair
Original OwnerProbably originally owned by
Colonel Henry Champion
(American, 1723 - 1797)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1780-1790
MediumCherry and pine, red silk damask
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 39 1/4 x 20 1/2 x 19 3/4in. (99.7 x 52.1 x 50.2cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of John R. Tracy
Object number1914.5.1
DescriptionCherry side chair in the Chippendale, or rococo, style, with a scalloped crest rail, a pierced splat, straight front legs, and a removable, upholstered slip seat. The back of the chair is formed by crest rail atop two stiles. The crest rail has an arch in the center, with a cyma curve, or S-curve, to either side, and a fluted ear on each end. Centered below the crest rail is a pierced splat, tapered from top to bottom, with open geometric shapes over two tiers of elongated openings. The splat is joined at the bottom to a tapered splat shoe, just above the back seat rail. Above the seat, each stile is slanted back slightly. Below the seat, each stile forms a back leg which is slanted back and toward the center. The seat is trapezoidal, with a removable slip seat upholstered with red, silk damask. The slip seat sits just inside four plain seat rails at the top of the legs. Each front leg is straight and extends from the height of the seat down to a plain foot. A knee bracket is located at the top of each front leg, where the leg joints the front seat rail; the diagonal edge of each knee bracket is shaped with a cyma curve. All four sides of the chair have a plain, rectangular stretcher.
Condition:
Side Chair .1: A small loss to the splat, located above the second opening in the lower tier of openings, is restored. A small amount of wood has split off the front right knee. The slip seat frame is original, but it has been reupholstered. The finish is recolored.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top edge of the front and side seat rails has molding consisting of an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame. The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin through the back. Above the seat, the back of each stile is rounded. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the splat shoe below. The splat shoe is nailed down on top of the back seat rail. The back and front seat rails are tenoned and pinned into the top of the legs. The side seat rails are tenoned and double pinned into the top of the legs. The knee bracket returns are carved from the solid seat rails. The interior of each front and side seat rail has a wooden strip nailed in place, corresponding to a rabbet cut into the top of each front leg; these provide support for the slip seat. The stretchers are tenoned and pinned into the legs.
Upholstered Slip Seat. The chair is accompanied by a removable, upholstered slip seat (with the original slip seat frame, and replaced upholstery materials). The slip seat consists of a red silk damask, over a linen undercover, stuffing, sackcloth, canvas webbing, and a wooden frame. The damask is tacked to the underside of each frame with small nails.
Condition:
Side Chair .1: A small loss to the splat, located above the second opening in the lower tier of openings, is restored. A small amount of wood has split off the front right knee. The slip seat frame is original, but it has been reupholstered. The finish is recolored.
Design and Construction Details:
Design. The top edge of the front and side seat rails has molding consisting of an ovolo flanked by a fillet.
Chair Frame. The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin through the back. Above the seat, the back of each stile is rounded. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the splat shoe below. The splat shoe is nailed down on top of the back seat rail. The back and front seat rails are tenoned and pinned into the top of the legs. The side seat rails are tenoned and double pinned into the top of the legs. The knee bracket returns are carved from the solid seat rails. The interior of each front and side seat rail has a wooden strip nailed in place, corresponding to a rabbet cut into the top of each front leg; these provide support for the slip seat. The stretchers are tenoned and pinned into the legs.
Upholstered Slip Seat. The chair is accompanied by a removable, upholstered slip seat (with the original slip seat frame, and replaced upholstery materials). The slip seat consists of a red silk damask, over a linen undercover, stuffing, sackcloth, canvas webbing, and a wooden frame. The damask is tacked to the underside of each frame with small nails.
Status
Not on view
