Armchair
Original OwnerOriginally owned by the
Phelps family
American
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1730-1760
MediumMaple, ash, splint, iron hardware
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 41 x 23 7/8 x 21in. (104.1 x 60.6 x 53.3cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Helen E. Royce
DescriptionMaple armchair in the Queen Anne, or late baroque, style, with a yoke-shaped crest rail, a vase-shaped splat, turned front legs and stretcher, and a splint seat. The back of the chair is formed by a yoke-shaped crest rail atop two stiles; the top edge of the crest rail is bowed down in the center. Centered below the crest rail is a solid, vase-shaped splat, which attaches at the bottom to the stay rail. The front of the stay rail is molded with a cyma curve, or S-curve. Above the seat, each stile curves backward. Below the seat, each stile forms a leg that is slanted backward. Each arm is bowed down slightly in the center and has an arched handhold that extends well past the top of the front leg. Each front leg is turned with a baluster over three blocks, each separated by a baluster, over a Spanish foot (the bottom half of each front foot is missing). Above the seat, each front leg supports the arm. The chair has a trapezoidal woven splint seat. The front stretcher that connects the front legs is turned with a ring-and-ball form. Both sides and the back each have one rectangular stretcher. The chair has an overall dark finish that is faux grained, or painted to imitate mahogany. The splint seat is also painted.
Condition: There are some minor losses to the splint seat at the front seat rail. The feet have been cut down. The lower front legs and ankles have damage from insect holes. The faux graining and dark paint on the front seat rail are a later addition. The painted surface of the frame has overall scratches and wear, with additional interruptions to the painted surface on the handholds, the front legs, the front stretcher, the side stretchers, and the splint seat.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on each side by a tenon at the top of the stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above into the the stay rail below. The sides of the splat are chamfered. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the stile. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the arm above. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and the front stretcher have round tenons that extend into the front or back legs. Each side stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The back stretcher has rectangular tenons that extend into the back legs. Each corner of the back legs, between the seat rails and the back stretcher, is chamfered.
Condition: There are some minor losses to the splint seat at the front seat rail. The feet have been cut down. The lower front legs and ankles have damage from insect holes. The faux graining and dark paint on the front seat rail are a later addition. The painted surface of the frame has overall scratches and wear, with additional interruptions to the painted surface on the handholds, the front legs, the front stretcher, the side stretchers, and the splint seat.
Design and Construction Details: The crest rail is supported on each side by a tenon at the top of the stile; each of these joints is secured with a wooden pin. The splat is tenoned into the crest rail above into the the stay rail below. The sides of the splat are chamfered. The stay rail is tenoned into each stile. The back of each arm is tenoned and pinned into the stile. Each front leg is tenoned and pinned into the arm above. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge. The seat rails and the front stretcher have round tenons that extend into the front or back legs. Each side stretcher is tenoned and pinned into the legs. The back stretcher has rectangular tenons that extend into the back legs. Each corner of the back legs, between the seat rails and the back stretcher, is chamfered.
Object number1960.48.33
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