Armchair

Date1750-1780

MediumWalnut, beech

DimensionsOH: 36 7/8"; OW (seat): 25 1/4"; OW (arm to arm): 30"; OD: 20"

Credit LineGift of the Sealantic Fund.

Object number1975-47,3

DescriptionAppearance: serpentine crest rail with pointed ears; stiles flare outward at top, rounded on backs above seat rail; multiple pierced splat with diamond in quatrefoil above heart motif, slightly beveled on back; molded shoe; sinuous arms flare outward and terminate in rounded, tapered, downward pointing grips; rounded arm supports curve inward and backwards; trapezoidal seat; seat rails rounded on upper edges and undercut on lower edges; front seat rail has central, symmetrical, carved shell and acanthus leaves; front cabriole legs flanked by scrolled knee brackets and terminate in ball and claw feet; knees with rocaille, C scroll, and asymmetrical acanthus leaf carving; rear legs chamfered on all corners and are splayed backwards.

Construction: All elements walnut except as noted; stiles and splat tenoned into crest rail; stiles laminated at top where they flare outward, stile front veneered; splat tenoned into shoe; shoe glued to rear seat rail; arms tenoned and pinned to stiles in center; arm supports tenoned to arms and tenoned and screwed to side seat rails; seat rails tenoned to legs; front and side seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; front and rear elements of beech slip seat frame tenoned into side elements; wooden block glued to center faces of front seat rail for shell carving allowance; left front knee bracket laminated; knee brackets glued to front legs, front and side seat rails.
Markings"III" chiseled into front seat rail rabbet; "407" on oval brass tag on rear seat rail bottom edge; several wood sample scratches on insides of side seat rails; "IIII" chiseled into front element of slip seat frame.
ProvenanceChairs owned by Archibald and Molly McCrea and used at Carter's Grove by the 1930s. Chair not part of the Westover Auction.