Armchair
Furniture MakerPossibly made by
John Wadsworth
American, working 1793 - at least 1803
Date1796-1800
MediumBasswood, maple, ash, oak
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 37 1/2 x 21 3/4 x 22 3/4in. (95.3 x 55.2 x 57.8cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of Beatrice Cook
DescriptionArmchair in the Windsor style, with a high back, a plank seat, and turned posts and legs. The back of the chair includes 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 cylindrical ankle and foot (replaced). 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: Each foot is replaced below the baluster. A nail has been inserted through the joint where each post joins the arm above. The seat and front legs are lightly scratched and worn. The armchair is refinished.
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 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.
Condition: Each foot is replaced below the baluster. A nail has been inserted through the joint where each post joins the arm above. The seat and front legs are lightly scratched and worn. The armchair is refinished.
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 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.
Object number1963.66.0
MarkingsThe underside of the plank seat has a white rectangular label with a blue-handwritten note of "Property of/ Mrs. Albert S. Cook".NotesHistorical Note: This chair was possibly made by John Wadsworth, who made a large order of furniture for the Hartford State House on 8 June 1796. This chair and five others were taken out of the State House in 1861, upon his retirement as Secretary of State.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
