Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
The Hitchcock Chair Co., Ltd.
(American, 1947 - 2006)
RetailerSold by
G. Fox and Co.
(American, founded 1847)
After a work byPainted slat after a work by
Edward Williams Clay
(American, 1799 - 1857)
Date1973
MediumWood, yellow velvet
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 35 1/8 x 17 7/8 x 20 1/8in. (89.2 x 45.4 x 51.1cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineMuseum purchase
Object number1974.105.0
DescriptionPainted side chair in the Empire, or late neoclassical, style, with a crown-type crest rail, a pierced slat-back, turned front legs and front stretcher, and an upholstered balloon seat. The back of the chair is formed by a crown-type crest rail atop two stiles. The crest rail is formed from a solid, arched board with a low raised section at the top edge and a down turned scroll at each side. Below the crest, a slat joins the two stiles. The slat consists of a solid center section with a slight arch at the top center edge, flanked by two discs that join the center section to the stile at each side. Both the crest rail and slat are bowed back slightly in the center. Above the seat, each stile is curved back and has flat front and sides over four turned rings just above the seat. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical back leg over a tapered foot. The seat, which is tilted down slightly at the back, is balloon shaped: the seat has a single rail at the front and sides that extends forward, curves out to the side then around to a projecting curve in front. The seat is upholstered with striped yellow velvet. Each front leg is straight, but raked slightly out from top to bottom. The leg is turned with eighteen rings of the same size over a tapered ankle, and a small, ball foot. The front of the chair has a single stretcher turned with ring and tapered forms that connects the two front legs. Each side of the chair has two plain, turned stretchers. The back of the chair has a single plain, turned stretcher.
Painted Decoration: The frame of the chair is painted ivory with green, blue, red, black, white, and gold painted decoration. The center of the crest rail has a spray of pink and white flowers superimposed over green leaves. Each side of the crest rail has a gilded edge and a gilded flower in the center of the down turned scroll. The slat is painted with a three-story brick and stone building in the center, with a projecting portico and a tall cupola. In the foreground is a green lawn surrounded by a black fence. A road, pedestrians, and a row of four story buildings surround the lawn. The frame has gold bands outlining the turned rings on the stiles, front legs, and front stretcher. The front of each upper stile and the front of the seat rail facing have the same abstract geometric and floral gilt stenciled decoration.
Condition: The chair is in excellent condition.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail sits in a shallow rabbit at the top of each stile; the back of the crest rail is grooved to accommodate the stile. The crest rail is screwed from behind into the top of each stile; the screws are hidden with filling or a wooden plug. The slat is tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat is constructed of four shaped corner blocks that support the seat rails and the upholstery. The seat rails are constructed of a laminated wood composite. Each back corner of the seat frame has a triangular corner block that is held in place with a screw through the stile. The back seat rail is nailed to the back corner blocks. Each front corner of the seat frame has a curved corner block with a straight interior edge that is supported on a tenon at the top of the front leg. The curving seat rail that forms the front and side of the seat is nailed to all four corner blocks as it curves around the seat. In turn, each corner block has a tongue that fits into a groove on the interior surface of the seat rails. The upholstery consists of striped yellow velvet over polyurethane foam, cardboard, or other stiff material, and a black linen cover stapled to the underside of the stiff material. The upholstery is joined to the frame with screws through the underside of the corner blocks. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs.
Painted Decoration: The frame of the chair is painted ivory with green, blue, red, black, white, and gold painted decoration. The center of the crest rail has a spray of pink and white flowers superimposed over green leaves. Each side of the crest rail has a gilded edge and a gilded flower in the center of the down turned scroll. The slat is painted with a three-story brick and stone building in the center, with a projecting portico and a tall cupola. In the foreground is a green lawn surrounded by a black fence. A road, pedestrians, and a row of four story buildings surround the lawn. The frame has gold bands outlining the turned rings on the stiles, front legs, and front stretcher. The front of each upper stile and the front of the seat rail facing have the same abstract geometric and floral gilt stenciled decoration.
Condition: The chair is in excellent condition.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail sits in a shallow rabbit at the top of each stile; the back of the crest rail is grooved to accommodate the stile. The crest rail is screwed from behind into the top of each stile; the screws are hidden with filling or a wooden plug. The slat is tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat is constructed of four shaped corner blocks that support the seat rails and the upholstery. The seat rails are constructed of a laminated wood composite. Each back corner of the seat frame has a triangular corner block that is held in place with a screw through the stile. The back seat rail is nailed to the back corner blocks. Each front corner of the seat frame has a curved corner block with a straight interior edge that is supported on a tenon at the top of the front leg. The curving seat rail that forms the front and side of the seat is nailed to all four corner blocks as it curves around the seat. In turn, each corner block has a tongue that fits into a groove on the interior surface of the seat rails. The upholstery consists of striped yellow velvet over polyurethane foam, cardboard, or other stiff material, and a black linen cover stapled to the underside of the stiff material. The upholstery is joined to the frame with screws through the underside of the corner blocks. The stretchers are tenoned into the legs.
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Status
Not on view
