Side chair

Date1770-1780

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Piedmont or Valley

MediumWalnut

DimensionsOH: 37"; OW: 22 1/2"; OD: 21 1/4"; SD: 18 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1974-178

DescriptionAppearance: crest rail with slightly concave top and an ogee curve on the bottom between splat and each stile; splat tapered from top to base with three vertical piercings; stiles flare out slightly at top and have rounded backs above seat rails; molded shoe; trapezoidal slip seat; side and front seat rails with bead molded upper edges; four Marlborough legs with chamfered inner edges; front legs with bead molded outer edges and top outer edges; rear legs raked back with a double angle; H-plan stretcher assembly with one rear stretcher.

Construction: all elements are of walnut; stiles and top of splat tenoned into crest rail; bottom of splat tenoned into shoe which is glued to rear seat rail; bottom of splat tenoned into shoe which is glued to rear seat rail; all seat rails tenoned and pinned into legs; side and front seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; slip seat replaced; front blocking replaced; horizontal rear blocking glued and nailed to side and rear seat rails; side and rear stretchers tenoned and pinned into legs; medial stretcher tenoned into side stretchers.Mark(s)"XVII" chiseled into inside of rear seat railProvenanceSource acquired the chair from the estate of Mrs. Ella Williams Smith in or around Charlottesville, VA.