Images(7)

Side chair

Date1819-1821

Attributed to Hugh Finlay

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Baltimore

MediumTulip poplar, white pine, black walnut, maple, hickory, paint, and gilt.

DimensionsOH: 32"; OW: 18 3/4"; OD: 21 3/4"

Credit LineAcquisition funded by Bridget and Alfred Ritter in honor of Milly McGehee and Deanne Levison.

Object number2003-1,4A

DescriptionAPPEARANCE: Klismos side chair; concave, tablet-form crest rail with tapered top edge decorated with crossed torches inset in a wreath flanked by Grecian scrolls and cornucopias; concave rectilinear stay rail painted with anthemion flanked by Grecian scrolls and stylized half-anthemions; short baluster over beehive turned stiles; trapezoidal caned slip seat with rounded front rail flanked by thick, T-shaped side seat rails that curve up to meet stiles; front rail painted to match stay rail with anthemion flanked by Grecian scrolls and stylized half-anthemions; outer sides of seat rails painted with large anthemion at back, scrolled stringing, and two round floral medallions at front; tops of side seat rails and stiles feature gilt bands and stringing; turned and tapered front legs with beehive shaped top over double ring turning, over cylinder, over single ring turning, over second cylinder, over double ring turning, over trumpet shape, over ball foot, all ring turnings gilded; strongly flared, rounded rear legs that taper at top and bottom topped by beehive turning; single rounded stretcher at sides and rear, sides with gilded, triple ring turning in center; rectilinear front stretcher painted with stringing and small foliate design; overall rosewood faux-grain painting

CONSTRUCTION: Principal chair frame: The stay rail is tenoned into the stiles, which are in turn round-tenoned into the tablet form crest rail and T-shaped side seat rails. The front and back seat rails are also tenoned into the side seat rails. The turned legs are round-tenoned into the side seat rails. The rectangular front stretcher is tenoned into the front legs and the turned side stretchers and back stretcher round-tenoned into the legs. Slips seats (cane): Loose seat frame. Side rails are tenoned into the front and rear rails, both of which are two-piece laminations, front rail rounded on front edge. Cane seat woven into frame. Slip seats (upholstered): Upholstered in curled hair and linen.

MATERIALS: By visual examination, it appears that crest rail, stay rail, and all chair frame seat rails are tulip poplar; front stretcher is walnut; other stretchers hickory and legs are maple. The caned loose seat frame is of walnut with tulip poplar and white pine projections. Upholstered seat frames are white pine.
Markings.4a (chair): "CC" on top of front seat rail
.4c (upholstered seat): "C" under front seat rail.
.5a (chair): "CCV" on top of front seat rail
.5b (cane seat): "XCC under front seat rail
.5c (upholstered seat): "VCC" under front seat rail
.6a (chair): "VCCC" on top of front seat rail
.6b (cane seat): "VCCC" under front seat rail
.6c (upholstered seat): "X" under front seat rail (gouge marks) and "IIII" under rear seat rail (chisel marks)
.7a (chair): "VCCCC" on top of front seat rail
.7b (cane seat): "CC" under front seat rail
.7c (upholstered seat): "VCCCC" under front seat rail

All C marks indicate gouge marks referencing Roman Numeral 1. All X and V marks are gouge rather than chisel marks except where noted.
ProvenancePreviously owned by Josiah (elected Attorney General of the State of Maryland in 1831) and Ann H. Bayly, descended in the same family until 2002. Ann H. Bayly's probate inventory, taken June 30, 1857, lists "2 pier tables, gilt $10," 1 mareen sofa & 2 ottomans $8" and "1 doz chairs $20."