Armchair
Furniture MakerProbably made by
John Wadsworth
(American, working 1793 - at least 1803)
Date1796-1800
MediumBasswood, maple, ash, oak
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 38 3/4 x 23 1/2 x 23 1/8in. (98.4 x 59.7 x 58.7cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineBequest of Roderick Bissell Jones
Object number1974.56.15
DescriptionLight green, painted armchair in the Windsor style, with a high back, a plank seat, and turned posts and legs. The back of the chair includes of a bowed crest rail atop seven tall spindles; the crest rail is serpentine, a shaped upper edge with an arch in the center flanked by flat scrolls. Below the crest rail is a rail that curves forward to form the flat, scrolled 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. The back of the armchair is slanted back; the spindles and posts are joined to the seat in a semi-circular arrangement. The basswood plank seat is shield-shaped and has a saucered, or recessed, surface with a flat area at the back where the spindles and posts join the seat. The sides and back of the plank are curved and chamfered, or cut at an angle. Below the seat are four turned 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 rail is reinforced with a curved, painted metal band that is screwed to the front of the rail. The right and left most sides of the plank seat have split or broken completely off of the plank seat; this has been repaired with screws or nails. The green paint is not original; the later paint is applied over at least one layer of darker green paint. The paint at the front edge of the plank seat and the lower legs and feet is lightly scratched and worn.
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 tenon at the top of each post has a small wooden wedge through the end. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the spindle platform; the tenon at the bottom of each post has a small wooden wedge through the end. The plank seat is supported by a through tenon at the top of each leg; a wedge is inserted through the end of each tenon. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into each of the side stretchers.
NotesHistorical Note: This chair was probably made by John Wadsworth as a set of twelve green painted chairs made for the Old State House around 8 June 1796. Condition: The rail is reinforced with a curved, painted metal band that is screwed to the front of the rail. The right and left most sides of the plank seat have split or broken completely off of the plank seat; this has been repaired with screws or nails. The green paint is not original; the later paint is applied over at least one layer of darker green paint. The paint at the front edge of the plank seat and the lower legs and feet is lightly scratched and worn.
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 tenon at the top of each post has a small wooden wedge through the end. The spindles are tenoned down into the spindle platform. The posts are tenoned through the spindle platform; the tenon at the bottom of each post has a small wooden wedge through the end. The plank seat is supported by a through tenon at the top of each leg; a wedge is inserted through the end of each tenon. The side stretchers are tenoned into the lower legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into each of the side stretchers.
Status
Not on view
Object/Object