Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Union Chair Co.
American, 1849 - 1888
Date1850-1860
MediumWood, black, gold and red paint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 31 3/4 x 16 3/16 x 16 1/4in. (80.6 x 41.1 x 41.3cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineGift of The Hitchcock Chair Co., Ltd.
DescriptionPainted black side chair in the Empire, or late neoclassical style, with a slat-back, and a splint seat. The back of the chair is formed by two rectangular slats between the two stiles. Above the seat, each stile is curved back. Below the seat each stile forms a back leg that is also curved back. Each front leg is straight, with a cylindrical body over a tapered foot. Each front leg has a rounded top and extends slightly higher than the woven splint seat, which is trapezoidal in shape. The front stretcher is turned with a ring in the center. Each side of the chair has two plain, turned stretchers joining the legs. The back of the chair has a single plain, turned stretcher joining the legs.
Painted surfaces. The chair has an overall black painted surface, with gold and bronze stenciled designs on each slat. The top slat has a round fruit in the center flanked by abstract floral and leaf designs. The lower slat has a geometric, semi-circular shape in the center flanked by abstract floral and leaf designs.
Condition: The black paint is worn and scratched over all the surfaces of the chair, but specifically at the top of the front leg posts, the front stretcher, and on the top and middle of each stile. The stenciled decoration and mark are faded. The front seat rail is exposed in two areas where two splints have broken off the seat.
Design and Construction Details: Both slats are tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat rails are tenoned into the stiles at the back and into the top of the front legs. Each stretcher is tenoned into the lower legs. Incised lines mark the location of the seat rails and stretchers on the legs.
Painted surfaces. The chair has an overall black painted surface, with gold and bronze stenciled designs on each slat. The top slat has a round fruit in the center flanked by abstract floral and leaf designs. The lower slat has a geometric, semi-circular shape in the center flanked by abstract floral and leaf designs.
Condition: The black paint is worn and scratched over all the surfaces of the chair, but specifically at the top of the front leg posts, the front stretcher, and on the top and middle of each stile. The stenciled decoration and mark are faded. The front seat rail is exposed in two areas where two splints have broken off the seat.
Design and Construction Details: Both slats are tenoned into the upper stiles. The seat rails are tenoned into the stiles at the back and into the top of the front legs. Each stretcher is tenoned into the lower legs. Incised lines mark the location of the seat rails and stretchers on the legs.
Object number2004.24.4
Markings"UNION CHAIR. CO./ West-Winsted Conn/ WARRANTED" is stenciled in red paint on the back of the lower slat. The number "79.1" is painted in white on the back of the front stretcher.Subject Terms
On View
Not on view
