Side chair, splat Back

Date1765-1790

OriginAmerica, Rhode Island, Newport (probably)

MediumMahogany and chestnut

DimensionsOH: 34"; OW: 21"; OD: 18 1/4"

Credit LineGift of Earl W. and Eleanor G. Sargent.

Object number1977-216

DescriptionAppearance: Splat-back side chair with serpentine crest rail with central diapered and punched fan-shaped motif, flattened back side, and molded volute ears; pierced strapwork vasiform splat with punched decoration and shallowly carved scrolls; backs of stiles rounded above seat rail; molded shoe; trapezoidal slip seat; plain front and side seat rails with slightly rounded upper edges; slightly canted Marlborough rear legs with lightly chamfered inner edges; Marlborough front legs with moderately chamfered inner edges and stop-fluted front and outside elevations; one rear and three H-plan stretchers with lightly rounded tops.

Construction: All elements of mahogany except as noted; stiles and splat tenoned into crest rail, stiles pinned; base of splat tenoned into shoe, which is glued and nailed to rear seat rail; seat rails tenoned into legs and pinned; one two-piece quarter round chestnut block glued into each front corner of seat frame; no rear blocks ever present; front and side seat rails rabbeted to receive slip seat; front and rear elements of chestnut slip seat frame tenoned into side elements; rear and side stretchers tenoned into legs and pinned; medial stretcher half dovetailed into side stretchers from below.
Inscribed"Recovered by Earle W. Sargent at Asheville, N.C. July 12, 1929" penciled on inner edge of front slip seat rail; "Bottom" penciled on bottom of front slip seat rail.
Markings"VI" chiseled on rabbeted edge of front seat rail; illegible word penciled on left slip seat rail.
ProvenanceInherited by donor from family of her paternal grandfather, Rufus Greene, who was born and raised in Apponaug, Rhode Island and later resided in Providence.