Chair, Easy

Object Name:

Chair, Easy

Object ID:

1972.092

Creator:

Bliss, ThomasCabinetmaker; Horswill, John W.

Place of Origin:

Charlestown, NH

Date:

1798

Description:

Easy Chair. Serpentine crest, high flared wings supported on horizontally rolled arms; square tapering front legs with cuffs of double stringing in light colored wood; square outcurving rear legs chamfered on inner edges and spliced to stiles of back at an angle, using glue and hand-forged nails; four rectangular stretchers with slightly rounded tops--side, back and medial. Reupholstered in blue and gray striped moire fabric with white sprigs; bordered with welting except at bottom. Much of original stuffing, webbing and linen undercovering apparently intact. Numerous nail holes in frame indicating former reupholstering. Seat cushion added at time of present reupholstering. Bottoms of legs restored, including stringing, as casters had been added during late 19th century. Chrome-plated steel button on bottom of each foot. Printed paper label attached to undercovering on bottom of seat with manufacturers information (see Notes). Handwritten inscription at bottom of label: "PRICE $16[ ] CTS". Pencil inscription mentioned in letter from dealer but now concealed under upholstery, on fabric of back, reading "8-12-14-98". Modern upholsterer's label under seat. Mahogany, oak, maple, and white pine.

Material:

Wood
Textile

Dimensions:

H-47.125 W-32.75 D-30.25 inches

Provenance:

Purchased by donors from Taylor B. Williams of Chicago, IL, who purchased it an the estate auction of J. J. O'Carroll, 1971, Westover Farm, Bolton, MA (when O'Carroll was about 90-91 years old). O'Carroll was said to have obtained the chair from his grandfather's house in the 1920s and that it had always been in the family.

Credit Line:

Gift of The W. N. Banks Foundation

People:

Bliss, Thomas, Horswill, John W., O'Carroll, J. J.