Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

1947.007.01

Place of Origin:

England (probably)

Date:

1700-1720

Description:

Cane-back Arm Chair. Ogee arched crest rail carved from one piece with a portion of the straight lower edge recessed behind the face as a horizontal reinforcement; ogee arched portion is molded on face and terminated in a large volute at each end; secondary volutes extend from sides of arch and are supported by tops of primary volutes; crest rail extends at ends beyond juncture with turned stiles; stiles are flat on reverse and composed of vase, ball, tapered baluster, block and cylindrical elements. Rectangular cane back panel with ogee arched top, extending from crest rail to horizontal rail 4 1/2 inches above seat and bordered at sides by stiles having molded faces; lower rail also molded on front surface. Arms have molded tops, curve out to ram's horn terminals, and are supported by baluster turned extensions of front legs. Seat rails of ash are exposed and have three strips of canvas webbing nailed to them. Turned front legs with vase, ring and block elements below which are the top portions of Spanish feet. Rear legs turned with cylinder and block elements. Five turned stretchers, front one having two bulbous turnings at center with cylindrical section between and a ring and bell-shaped turning at each end; side stretchers have block and ring turnings; medial stretcher is cylindrical narrowing slightly to ring turning and portion of block at each end; rear stretcher like medial except that a cone turning replaces black at ends. "IC" stamped on reverse of back right stile at juncture with seat. Evidence of early cane seat and later rush seat. Back and seat upholstered circa 1875 as indicated by nails, nail holes and photographs. Apparently painted with burl graining at same time as upholstery was added, perhaps in imitation of earlier paint treatment. Feet cut for application of casters, shown in early photo but now missing. One hole in cane back. Paper label with figure "314" on back left leg, paper label with accession informatin on front seat rail's bottom surface.

Material:

Wood
Grass

Dimensions:

H-44 W-26.125 D-21.5 inches

Provenance:

Donor's ancestors on at least three branches of her family lived in the Piscataqua region since the 17th century.

Credit Line:

Bequest of Bertha Vaughan

People:

Vaughan, Bertha (1873-1946), Pickering, Packer, Haines