Chair

Object Name:

Chair

Object ID:

2021.012.01

Place of Origin:

Southeastern New Hampshire

Date:

1750-1780

Description:

Side chair, one of two. Owned by General Joseph Cilley (1734-1799) of Nottingham, NH. Vertical split-spindle banister-back chair, painted black and red, with turned stiles and legs. Three rectangular slats molded on back and set between a double arched top crest and low stay rails. Stiles feature vase-and-ring turnings, and two large rings are turned on front legs. Finials are urn-on-plinth shaped. Two plain stretchers on each side, and two turned front stretchers and one plain stretcher at back. Probably constructed of maple, ash, oak and birch. Seats are woven rush; worn.

Material:

Wood
Maple
Ash
Oak
Birch
Rush

Dimensions:

H-42 W-18.4 D-13 inches

Provenance:

According to Fernald family history, these chairs were part of a set owned by General Joseph Cilley (1734-1799) of Nottingham, NH. Joseph Cilley's probate records reveal that his father, Captain Joseph Cilley (1701-1786) of Nottingham, owned "12 Banister Back Chairs" valued at 60 shillings in his estate inventory. The chairs remained in the Cilley family and their descendants, the Fernalds of Nottingham, for six generations, until they were sold to dealer Linda M. Tate about 1995. Tate in turn sold them to Peter Sawyer, who sold them to New Hampshire collectors Lawrence and Dorothy Perkins. They were next sold to J & G Antiques early in 2021, after which they were purchased by the donors.

Credit Line:

Gift of William W. Upton and Mr. and Mrs. James L. Garvin

People:

Cilley, Joseph (1734-1799), Cilley, Sarah (1739-1811), Cilley, Joseph (1701-1789), Cilley, Alice (1701-1801)

Subjects:

Chairs