Images(6)

Side Chair, Slat-back

Date1780-1820

OriginAmerica, Louisiana, New Orleans or Point Coupee

MediumMulberry and rush

DimensionsOH: 30 1/2"; OD: 16 1/4"; OD: 13 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2016-74

DescriptionAppearance: Small slat-back side chair with low seat; three bowed, arched and spurred slats between the stiles; turned stiles with complex “nipple-disk-ball” shaped finials and spool and ring turnings between each splat flanking cylindrical and sausage shaped turned elements into which the slats are tenoned; front legs turned on top with a low button, between seat rail and top stretcher with an almost ball like element, and between the top and bottom stretchers a spool; sharply tapered feet; double front and side stretchers, the front stretchers turned with two spools flanking a swollen center section; side stretchers and single low rear stretcher unadorned; slightly bowed seat rails; rush seat (replaced); red pigment remains on chair in turned elements.

Construction: The back slats are mortised into the turned rear stiles, the middle slat tenons are pegged. Seat lists and the double front and side stretchers use conventional post and hole construction. The woven paper rush seat with four triangular embedded wooden blocks is modern, probably replacing a twisted corn shuck woven seat.
Label TextThis small-sized adult chair is of a type found in or associated with New Orleans and Pointe Coupee, Louisiana. The distinctive turnings on the chair and the slightly bowed seat rails reflect the French influence on the region’s turned chair traditions. Even the common use of red mulberry for Creole turned chairs is influenced by French tradition. Chairs of this type have been found in side chairs, armchairs, low adult side chairs, and child’s sizes. The low adult chair served multiple purposes including perhaps as prie-dieux, slipper chair, or as stand for bedchamber items.