Side Chair with Fly-Whisk Attachment

Date1800-1825

Artist/Maker Johnson family, Mecklenburg County

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Mecklenburg County

MediumMaple, rush, oak, yellow pine, and cloth.

DimensionsOH: 33 1/2"; OW:18 3/4"; SD:14 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-223

DescriptionSide chair; small finials in shape of elongated ball surmounted by knob. Below finial, wood swells to full circumference with bead turning at base of cone. The straight, turned stiles remain undecorated and of same width except for fillet between top slats and slight tapering at base. Three slats, arched and chamfered at top. Rush seat. Six turned, plain stretchers. Front legs turned; devoid of decoration except for shallow incised line at top and slight tapering at base. Apparatus attached consists of horizontal bar with fringed cloth tennoned through one of three mortices cut through upper part of vertical chamfered post. Post attached to chair at two points: at back of top slat, where it is housed through semi-ellipitical armature screwed to slat, and at base, where it is dowelled and fits through board nailed to tops of bottom stretchers. Treadle, in front of chair and to left, attached to L-shaped structure screwed to rebated bases of front and rear left legs. Flywhisk activated by rocking treadle with foot; screwed to side of foot pedal is vertical bar with grooved end; pinned into this is horizontal bar extending back to and pinned to arm attached at right angles to vertical shaft with fan. Traces of dark brown paint remain on both chair and apparatus.

Materials: Chair is maple, rush and attached apparatus is oak, maple, southern pine, nails, screws, bolts, and cloth.
MarkingsNone found.