Side chair, splat back

Date1780-1810

OriginAmerica, New York, Long Island or Virginia

MediumWalnut, tulip poplar and white pine

DimensionsOH: 36 1/2"; OW: 21": OD: 17 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1985-59

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: Side chair with a rectangular back, slightly flared at top, with five vertical elements. Stiles have incised molding on front, chamfered back. Incised molding on upper edge of front and side seat rails. Marlborough legs have same molding; front legs chamfered on inside only. Rear legs swept back, unevenly tapered at bottom.

CONSTRUCTION: All elements of walnut except as noted. Stiles and vertical elements tenoned into crest rail. Vertical elements tenoned into cove-molded shoe. Seat rails tenoned into legs; pins in tenons on rear legs. Original vertical glue blocks replaced by triangular white pine blocks attached with glue and screws. H-plan stretcher arrangement, plus stretcher tenoned into rear legs. Casters nailed into bottoms of front legs, not original.

Woods: Walnut with tulip poplar slipseat and white pine glue blocks (replaced)Inscription(s)Pencil marks on left inside of seat rail, possibly a name or names.Mark(s)Roman numeral "V" inscribed on front underside of slip seat. Two small notches cut into inside front seat rail at top center, probably Roman numeral "II."