Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

1940.009.01.1

Place of Origin:

probably New England

Date:

1850 after

Description:

Side Chair. "Pillow-top" Hitchcock type, with slightly arched crest rail having central tablet of almond cross-section flanked by ring turnings; stiles are turned and clindrical at their bases, each with a decorative bank of four annulets just above seat; upper 2/3 of stiles are rectangular in cross-section with rounded backs; fronts of stiles curve back at top to join with cylindrical ends of crest rail in simulation of rolled crest, stiles and rail ends all being halved to form this juncture. Wide horizontal slat with curved upper edge framed between stiles at center of back. Rush seat bordered with applied wooden stiprs, which are half round with ring turnings on front, flat and rectangular on other three sides. Front seat rail expands into exposed blocks at ends above legs. Front legs have flattened ball and ring turnings and taper to botton feet. Turned cylindrical rear legs tapering at base. Six turned stretchers--front one having central ball-and-ring turnings, two stretchers in ezch side and one at back, all plain and cylindrical. Painted black with yellow striping and rosewood graining; most of ball and ring turnings are bronzed on fronts. Grapes with foliage and tendrils stencilled in bronze on face of slat, design having brown background within rectangular yellow border. Stylized palmette designs, stencilled in bronze at center of applied seat front and on tablet crest. Apparently has been sanded and repainted. Evidence that rush seat was formerly painted gray on upper surface. Front seat rail as well as strips apllied to seat were cricular sawn. Strips attached using modern brads, first common circa 1850. Exposed block at right of front seat rail is cracked. Strips applied to seat are white pine and oak. One of a set of eight.

Material:

Wood
Grass

Dimensions:

H-34.875 W-17.375 D-17.875 inches

Provenance:

According to donor these chairs were "from Spencer, Mass."

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell