Images(2)

Side Chair

Dateca. 1765

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia or Chester County

MediumBlack walnut?? tulip poplar, cedar?? or pine

DimensionsOH: 38 1/4"; OW: 23 1/4"; OD: 21 1/3"

Credit LineGift of Ann Booth Young

Object number2025-110

DescriptionSide chair with serpentine crest rail with carved shell in center terminating in slightly scrolled ears; pierced interlaced splat with over a shaped shoe; trapezoidal slipseat; seat rails molded on outer top corners and undercut with shallow arch; cabriole front legs and knee brackets over ball and claw feet; rounded "stump" rear legs rake towards back.Label TextThis chair descended through the Thomas, Townsend, Pennock, Pusey, Lukens, or Gibbons family to the donor. All members of Pennsylvania Quaker families primarily from Chester County, the donor’s ancestors likely owned a set of at least six such chairs, of which this was chair #2. Indeed, the design of this chair was a common one from the Philadelphia area and is quite similar to those in the set of six owned in the Drinker family (1962-233, 1-6). The Drinker chairs are a bit more ornate, with additional shells on the skirt and knees, and carving on the volutes of the splat. Variations like these were options selected by the customers with each additional element increasing the price of the chairs. The 1772 Philadelphia Cabinetmaker’s Price book (PMA) includes many of these options and their prices in mahogany and walnut.Mark(s)Marked "II" with chisel marks on top of front seat rail in rabbet.ProvenanceDescended in the Thomas Family of Chester County, Pennsylvania to donor.