Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

1975.058.01 c

Place of Origin:

United States

Date:

1850-1880

Description:

Side Chair. Victorian, "balloon-back" type, with serpentine stiles of back forming continuous curve with both arched crest rail and side set rails; stiles and crest rounded except on back. crest carved at top to simulate partly unfurled roll, with curved channel below; horizontal slat, framed between stiles halfway from seat to crest and carved on face to simulate two scrolls flanking and supporting a banded anthemion at center; curved channel at center of each scroll. Cabriole front legs; both side rails and front legs rectangular in cross-section with rounded tops and fronts respectively. Square rear legs extending back with slight serpentine curve. Slip seat, with chestnut frame, rests on front and rear seat rails and is attached to two wooden dowels in top of front seat rail. Buttoned haircloth upholstery with horsehair and cotton stuffing, supported on coiled, "double cone" springs. Front and rear seat rails chestnut, veneered with mahogany. Triangular mahogany corner blocks. Stiles pieced on outer edge at widest point of back. Carved top of crest also applied. Finish scratched and chipped extensively. Red chalk tally mark on rear seat rail (representing 5). Figure "70" stamped on top of rear seat rail where there is also a pencilled inscription "ORDER D". Figure "103" stamped on bottom of slip seat frame and exposed through a rectangular cut in fabric undercovering. Interlaced webbing broken, undercovering torn and springs exposed. One tear in horsehair upholstery visible on top of seat and exposing horsehair filling. Also torn along front of seat. Central button on seat missing. Fabric covering worn on one other button. Paper label on rear seat rail reading, "PROPERTY OF THE WHITE MOUNTAIN GARDEN CLUB". Mahogany and chestnut. One of a set of four.

Material:

Wood
Textile
Tissue
Mahogany
Chestnut
Metal

Dimensions:

H-34.5 W-17.75 D-22.875 inches

Provenance:

Items in this accession were presumably acquired by the Garden Club from local members in the early 1930s. They furnished a room in the Littleton Library that was set aside for Garden Club use.

Credit Line:

Gift of the White Moutain Garden Club, Littleton, New Hampshire