Side Chair
Original OwnerOriginally owned by
General Israel Putnam
(American, 1718 - 1790)
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1740-1770
MediumMaple, rush
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 40 3/8 x 19 9/16 x 17 1/8in. (102.6 x 49.7 x 43.5cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah P. Hayward and Dr. and Mrs. Norman F. Conant
Object number1997.73.0
DescriptionMaple side chair in the Queen Anne, or late baroque style, with a yoke-shaped crest rail, a vase-shaped splat, a rush seat, and turned stretchers and front legs. The back of the chair is formed by an yoke-shaped crest rail atop two stiles. The center of the crest rail bows down in the center and has a beveled ridge at each side. Centered below the crest rail is a solid, vase-shaped splat, which attaches at the bottom to the stay rail. The bottom front edge of the stay rail is molded with a cyma curve, or S-curve. Each stile has a molded front, consisting of a projecting semi-circle with a bead to each side; this molding extends from the arched sides of the crest rail down to just below the back seat rail. Above the seat, each stile angles backward. Below the seat, each stile forms a leg with a foot that flares back slightly. Each front leg is turned with a sequence of baluster, block, baluster, block, over a Spanish foot. Above the top turned baluster, each front leg has a block that supports the rails of the rush seat, which is trapezoidal in shape. The front stretcher connecting the front legs is turned with double-baluster-and-ring forms. Each side has two stretchers turned with a double-baluster form. The back has one stretcher turned with a double-baluster form.
Painted Decoration (later addition). The frame is painted black overall, with gold highlights on the crest rail, the upper stiles, the splat, the stay rail, the front stretcher, and the front legs.
Condition: The crest rail has been removed and re-attached. Each front foot is damaged, especially at the back and sides. The black and gold paint is a later addition; it has flaked off in some areas, revealing a red stain below. The rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by tenons at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below. The back edges of the splat are chamfered. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails have round tenons that extend into the stiles at the back, and into the separate block at the top of each leg in the front. The stretchers have round tenons that extend into the front or back legs.
Painted Decoration (later addition). The frame is painted black overall, with gold highlights on the crest rail, the upper stiles, the splat, the stay rail, the front stretcher, and the front legs.
Condition: The crest rail has been removed and re-attached. Each front foot is damaged, especially at the back and sides. The black and gold paint is a later addition; it has flaked off in some areas, revealing a red stain below. The rush seat is replaced.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported by tenons at the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above and into the stay rail below. The back edges of the splat are chamfered. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails have round tenons that extend into the stiles at the back, and into the separate block at the top of each leg in the front. The stretchers have round tenons that extend into the front or back legs.
Status
Not on view
