Images(2)

Side Chair

Date1770-1785

Possibly by James Allan (1716 - 1789)

Possibly by Glasgow

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Fredericksburg or Great Britain

MediumCherry, spruce, and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 36 ½"; OW: 20 ½"; OD: 20 1/4"

Credit LineGift of Mr. & Mrs. David Peebles in honor of Ronald L. Hurst

Object number2006-129

DescriptionSide chair with square back with molded edge; pierced splat carved with rosettes, shell, foliage, and ribbon; straight legs with molded edges and "H" stretchers; medial stretcher dovetailed to side stretchers from bottom, with "V" shaped notch at top of joint; rear legs slightly rounded on rear face; old yellow pine lap-joined slipseat, not original to chair.
Label TextThis chair is part of a stylish group of seating with histories in northern Virginia. They have similar splat designs and construction methods and may have been produced in the Fredericksburg, Virginia, shop of James Allan. A Scottish immigrant, Allan worked as a joiner/cabinetmaker in Fredericksburg from the 1730s until his death in 1789. He employed indentured servants from London as well as a “Cabinett maker slave by name of Glasgow” whom Allan bequeathed to his son. Given Glasgow's specifed training, he likely worked in the shop alongside the other journeymen. Allan sold a military chest, a bedstead, and carved mahogany stands to George Washington during the 1750s. The stands remain today at Mount Vernon.
ProvenanceSold at Brunk Auction in 2004 from the Aline Cannon collection. "Aline Cannon has collected actively for over 40 years. She and her sister, the late Nina Wakefield, had shops in Vinings, Georgia, and served the Atlanta area with fine antiques for many years. Her collection includes fine furniture, paintings, rugs, kitchen wares, and garden and architectural pieces. In addition to periodic trips to England, she frequented North Georgia estate auctions looking for Southern furniture."

Exhibition(s)