Armchair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1785-1795
MediumMaple, oak, ash, pine, black paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 38 13/16 x 19 5/8 x 22in. (98.6 x 49.8 x 55.9cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1960.112.0
DescriptionBlack painted armchair in the Windsor style, with a high back, a plank seat, and turned posts and legs. The back of the chair includes a bowed crest rail atop seven tall spindles; the crest rail is serpentine, consisting of a shaped upper edge with an arch in the center flanked by a high scrolled, or peaked, ear. Below the crest rail is a rail that curves forward to form the flat handholds. The rail contains the seven tall spindles and is supported at each arm by an additional short spindle and a post turned with a baluster form. All the spindles are swelled below the rail. The back of the armchair is slanted back; the spindles and posts are joined to the seat in a semi-circular arrangement. The pine plank seat is shield-shaped and has a saddled, or recessed, surface with a projecting ridge at the front, and a flat area at the back where the spindles and posts join the seat. The sides and back of the plank are severely chamfered, or cut at an angle. Below the seat are four turned maple legs that are raked, or slanted out from top to bottom; each is turned with a baluster form over a tapered ankle and foot. Each side of the chair has a single stretcher with an ovoid form in the center. Between the stretcher is a single medial stretcher, also with an ovoid form in the center.
Condition: The armchair has a later black paint applied over all the exposed and hidden surfaces. The paint is worn at the handholds, interior side of each post, and on the lower front legs.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the tall spindles; the center and each side spindle is also pinned to the crest rail. These spindles extend through the rail. The rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each short spindle and post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the spindle platform. The plank seat is supported by a through tenon at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into each of the side stretchers.
Condition: The armchair has a later black paint applied over all the exposed and hidden surfaces. The paint is worn at the handholds, interior side of each post, and on the lower front legs.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each of the tall spindles; the center and each side spindle is also pinned to the crest rail. These spindles extend through the rail. The rail is supported on a tenon at the top of each short spindle and post. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the spindle platform. The plank seat is supported by a through tenon at the top of each leg. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into each of the side stretchers.
Status
Not on view
