Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1810-1840
MediumMaple, leather
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 40 7/8 x 20 1/16 x 13 15/16in. (103.8 x 51 x 35.4cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Helen E. Royce
DescriptionTall maple chair with a slat-back, turned stiles and front legs, and a leather seat. The back of the chair is formed by a horizontal slat at the top between two turned stiles; each stile is cylindrical, with a rounded top. The slat is curved back in the center; it has the letters "CKH" carved into the center. Below the seat, each stile forms a tall, cylindrical back leg. Each front leg is also cylindrical, with a rounded top that extends slightly higher than the seat. The seat is trapezoidal and upholstered with a single sheet of leather (now badly damaged). The front and back of the chair each have two plain stretchers. Each side has three plain stretchers. The chair has the remnants of a dark finish, possibly black paint.
Condition: The leather is original, but is cracked and broken; portions in the center are missing. The chair frame is well worn, with remnants of black paint. The iron nails used to reinforce the joints may be later additions. On each stile, the wood around the upper back stretcher has split; this has been repaired with an iron nail.
Design and Construction Details: The slat is tenoned into the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with an iron nail. The seat rails and stretchers were formed with a draw knife, and each has tenons that extend into the stiles or front legs. Some of these joints are reinforced with nails: the bottom front and back stretchers, the front and back seat rails, the middle side stretchers (the nails are a possible later addition). The seat is upholstered with a piece of leather that is held in place with nails that go through the leather and into the seat rails. The leather is constructed of two halves that are sewn together, with an additional strip sewn along the front edge to cover the front seat rail. Faint grooves circle the stiles and front legs, marking the placement of the slat, seat railss and stretchers.
Condition: The leather is original, but is cracked and broken; portions in the center are missing. The chair frame is well worn, with remnants of black paint. The iron nails used to reinforce the joints may be later additions. On each stile, the wood around the upper back stretcher has split; this has been repaired with an iron nail.
Design and Construction Details: The slat is tenoned into the top of each stile; each of these joints is secured with an iron nail. The seat rails and stretchers were formed with a draw knife, and each has tenons that extend into the stiles or front legs. Some of these joints are reinforced with nails: the bottom front and back stretchers, the front and back seat rails, the middle side stretchers (the nails are a possible later addition). The seat is upholstered with a piece of leather that is held in place with nails that go through the leather and into the seat rails. The leather is constructed of two halves that are sewn together, with an additional strip sewn along the front edge to cover the front seat rail. Faint grooves circle the stiles and front legs, marking the placement of the slat, seat railss and stretchers.
Object number1960.48.39
InscribedThe slat has the letters "CKH" carved into the center.Subject Terms
On View
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