Chair, Corner

Object Name:

Chair, Corner

Object ID:

1965.507

Place of Origin:

New England

Date:

1750-1790

Description:

Corner Arm Chair. Roundabout chair, sometimes known as writing, desk or corner chair. Flat, U-shaped, horizontal rail, rectangular in section, forms both arms, broadening at ends to flat, outcurving round terminals; curved back of rail is surmounted at center by an applied crest with rounded front, flat top and ogee molded ends. Square rush seat, oriented diagonally so that one corner is at center of front. Left, right, and rear legs extend 11 inches above seat to support U-shaped rail. Left-hand seat rail expands above front leg into exposed block with rounded outer corner. All four vertical members turned with a single vase turning at top and a reel and ring turning below, the lower section being plain and cylindrical. Eight turned stretchers, two on each side, all plain and cylindrical. Painted black with ring turnings gilded. Evidence of earlier red paint. All vertical members are encircled at intervals by scribed lines indicating intersection with other chair components. Piece broken from back left corner of applied crest and repaired. Piece broken from front of ring turning on left stile of back. Left arm terminal broken off and repaired by nailing metal plates to upper and lower surfaces at break. Split at same location on right side, has been reinforced using screw. Rush seat has pulled apart at center; evidence of various attempts made to tie it together. Paper label with figure "320" on stretcher near juncture with back leg. U-shaped rail made of two butt-joined sections.

Material:

Wood
Grass

Dimensions:

H-30.25 W-29.875 D-24.375 inches

Provenance:

Paper label with figure "320" on stretcher near juncture with back leg may be early inventory label.

Credit Line:

New Hampshire Historical Society Collection