Armchair, ladderback

Date1725-1760

OriginAmerica, New Jersey, Hudson River Valley (probably)

MediumMaple, Ash or Hickory

DimensionsOH: 45"; H to seat: 17 1/2"; OW: 22 1/4"; OD: 17"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-820

DescriptionLadderback armchair: rear posts, sausage and ball turned above arms, cylindrical below arms and continuing to floor where they taper inward to form feet; posts surmounted by flattened ball finials with knop and ring turings; four arched, graduated slats mortised into posts; slightly shaped arms somewhat rounded on top and supported by turned, sausage-shaped arm supports which merge into tapering, cylindrical front legs terminating in high pad feet; essentially square seat; base of chair braced by bulbous, baluster stretcher between front legs and pair of cylindrical stretchers between each side and at rear; covered all over in black paint (not original); traces of earlier coat of black paint underneath.

Woods: Primary: Maple (Arms, posts, legs, front stretcher); Secondary: Ash or Hickory (side stretchers, slats)