Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

1930.006.02

Place of Origin:

New England, possibly NH

Date:

1800-1830

Description:

Side Chair. "Rod-back" (or "birdcage") Windsor type, with curved, cylindrical stiles each encircled by a decorative groove and tenoned through turned cylindrical crest rail; second, horizontal, cylindrical rail, 3" below top of crest rail, is tapered at ends and tenoned through stiles; seven vertical bamboo-turned spindles, three of which are tenoned through crest rail, the other four not extending above lower rail but tenoned through it. Horseshoe-shaped, white pine seat with rounded back. Stiles and spindles tenoned into back of seat following its outline, stiles being tenoned through seat. Upper edge of seat rounded along horseshoe-shaped portion. Entire seat outlined by a groove with a second decorative groove following the curved line of spindles at their inner edge and extending around the front of the seat 3/4 inch from the edge. Four splayed, bamboo-turned legs. Four, bamboo-turned stretchers--front, back and sides. Painted black with yellow striping, latter not corresponding with grooves of turnings. Front stretcher very worn. Legs taper sharply in below juncture with seat. "BRADLEY" written in chalk on bottom of seat. Paper label with accession information on bottom of seat, having pencilled note added: "FROM BRADLEY HOUSE". Repair at left end of crest rail, where small piece has broken off. right stile broken just above seat. Steel cleats on bottom of seat screwed into bottom of stiles to strengthen them. Apparently early nails driven into back of seat to tighten spindles. One of a pair.

Material:

Wood

Dimensions:

H-33.125 W-19.75 D-17.625 inches

Provenance:

Donor's mother was Susan A. Bradley, whose family had been in Concord, NH, since early in the 18th century. According to donor, her aunt Lucy Bradley lived in the old Bradley homestead built c. 1769 and "left my sister and me various pieces of furniture marked Bradley in chalk."

Credit Line:

Gift of Margaret H. Jewell

People:

Bradley