Side Chair
Furniture MakerMade by
Unknown
Date1680-1730
MediumMaple, ash, splint
DimensionsPrimary Dimensions (overall height x width x depth): 37 x 19 1/4 x 15 1/2in. (94 x 48.9 x 39.4cm)
ClassificationsFurniture
Credit LineConnecticut Museum of Culture and History collection
DescriptionPlain maple side chair in the William and Mary, or early baroque, style, with a slat-back, turned stiles, front legs, and stretchers, and a splint seat. The back of the chair is formed by two horizontal slats between two turned stiles. Each stile has an acorn-shaped finial and ring at the top, over cylinder forms and a wide band. Each slat is peaked at the center top edge and tapers down to each side. The top slat has a triangular groove cut out of the top of the peak. Below the seat, each stile forms a cylindrical back leg. Each front leg is cylindrical, with a rounded top that extends slightly higher than the splint seat, which is trapezoidal in shape. The front and both sides of the chair each have two plain turned stretchers. The back has one plain turned stretcher.
Condition: The joints of the chair frame are loose, and the chair leans backward. Each foot is well worn. The splint seat (possibly replaced) is damaged, and it is missing some pieces in the center, on the front, and on each side. The front legs and the upper stretchers are worn and lightly scratched on the surface. The slats, stiles, and front legs have significant numbers of insect holes.
Design and Construction Details: The top slat is tenoned and pinned with a square wooden pin into each stile. The lower slat is tenoned into each stile. It is formed of two pieces of wood joined with a butt joint at the bottom of the shaped top edge. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge; these are tenoned into the stile at the back and into the legs at the front. Each of the stretchers is tenoned into the legs. Deep grooves circling the stiles and front legs mark the placement of the slats, seat rails, and stretchers. The front and back of each slat have straight, incised scribe lines.
Condition: The joints of the chair frame are loose, and the chair leans backward. Each foot is well worn. The splint seat (possibly replaced) is damaged, and it is missing some pieces in the center, on the front, and on each side. The front legs and the upper stretchers are worn and lightly scratched on the surface. The slats, stiles, and front legs have significant numbers of insect holes.
Design and Construction Details: The top slat is tenoned and pinned with a square wooden pin into each stile. The lower slat is tenoned into each stile. It is formed of two pieces of wood joined with a butt joint at the bottom of the shaped top edge. Each seat rail is bladelike, with a rounded outer edge and a tapered inner edge; these are tenoned into the stile at the back and into the legs at the front. Each of the stretchers is tenoned into the legs. Deep grooves circling the stiles and front legs mark the placement of the slats, seat rails, and stretchers. The front and back of each slat have straight, incised scribe lines.
Object number1956.87.0
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