Side chair, splat back

Date1760-1790

MediumWalnut and birch (both by microanalysis)

DimensionsOH: 38.5": OD: 17": OW: 22.25": Height of seat: 16.5"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1939-102,1

DescriptionAppearance: Splat back side chair has a serpentine crest rail with squared, canted ears; solid vase form splat, rear edge beveled; plain rectangular stiles, chamfered on rear side above seat rails, chamfered on all four sides between seat rail and top of stretchers, and chamfered on front below stretchers; plain seat rails with slightly rounded top edge and rabbet plain seat rails with slightly rounded top edge and rabbet on the interior, trapezoid seat frame; heavy cabriole legs with plain rounded knees, complimenting ogee knee brackets; blocked and turned side stretchers, plainly turned medial and back stretchers; front legs terminating on shallow pad feet and thick convex disks; both chairs retain original slip seat frames, current show cloth copper plate engraving printed in red, blue and yellow, cut from an eighteenth century bed cover.

Construction: Crest rail mortised to stiles; splat tenoned to crest rail at top and shoe at bottom, shoe nailed to rear seat rail; seat rails joined to legs and stiles by mortise and tenon joints; corner blocks set with (modern) nails, slip seat rests on corner blocks and rabbet of seat rails; knee blocks nailed (modern) to legs and seat rail; side stretches joined to stiles and legs with rectangular mortise and tenon, rear of front legs squared accept joint, medial stretcher joined with round mortise and tenon joints; slip seat frame mortised and tenoned.
Markings.1: "V" chiseled into front seat rail rabbet and on the front member of slip seat. .2: "II" chiseled into front seat rail rabbet and front member of slip seat.