Chair
- Object Name:
- Chair
- Object ID:
- 2020.009.03
- Creator:
- Low & Damon
Furniture Maker - Place of Origin:
- Concord, NH
- Date:
- 1819
- Description:
- Armchair. Made by Low & Damon, Concord, NH, for the New Hampshire State House, 1819. Modified "arrow-back" Windsor type, with rolled crest rail extending slightly beyond stiles at both sides; turned, cylindrical stiles each with encircling groove 4" from seat above which fronts of stiles are flattened; stiles halved at tops to receive crest rail; four vertical spindles turned at upper and lower ends, having at the center a lozenge above an "arrow-shaped" section. Two S-curved arms with rolled ends each supported by three spindles, front spindles with urn turnings, four rear spindles repeating shape of those in chair back. U-shaped seat with slightly rounded front, upholstered over seat frame with black leather, except in spindle area where frame is exposed and outlined by a decorative groove. Stiles and two main arm supports all tenoned through seat frame. Legs turned with vase and spool elements above main elongated baluster turning; tapered cylindrical feet below ring turnings. Flat front stretcher 2.75" high, bows back and has cut-outs at ends. Three other stretchers plain and turned, each having two decorative grooves. Mahogany arms and chestnut seat frame. Painted off-white, except arms, and grained; black striping, sometimes accented with yellow. Rectangular panels with incurved corners painted at center of crest rail and front stretcher with half panels, oriented vertically at ends of crest rail; all panels filled with pattern of undulating lines; against this ground on center panel of crest is a symmetrical design of acanthus scrolls. Crest rail has a painted panel in center of a setting sun and boat on the water (resembling N.H. State Seal). This image is surrounded by grapes and grape leaves. Seat frame made in four pieces. Roll of crest rail formed by applied strip on back. Arms tenoned through stiles.
- Material:
- Wood
Mahogany
Birch
Chestnut
Leather - Dimensions:
- H-36.2 W-24.25 D-21 inches
- Provenance:
- One of a set of chairs that were part of the original furnishings of the State House, Concord, NH (built 1816-1819), and for which Concord chairmakers and painters Low & Damon were paid. Low & Damon were in business in Concord, NH, 1806-1826. This chair matches the set of five New Hampshire State Senate chairs (1888.025.02) and a single chair (2005.043) in the NHHS collection, though with some variations in turnings and decoration.
- Credit Line:
- Bequest of William N. Banks, Jr.
- Subjects:
- Chairs, State House (NH), State seal (NH)
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