Images(11)

Side chair

Date1790-1810

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Baltimore

MediumMahogany, tulip poplar, linen, and curled horsehair

DimensionsOH: 35 ½”; OW; 20”; OD: 19 ¼”; SD: 17”

Credit LineGift of George Washington's Mount Vernon

Object number2016-103

DescriptionAppearance: Oval back side chair; oval back with three vertical bannisters; two outer bannisters arch away from the center and are carved at the top with acanthus leaf motifs and two teardrop shaped piercings tapering in opposite directions; center banister fans out at the top and has four vertical piercings within the fan with demi-lune top terminals, below fan are four carved descending bellflowers with a dot at the top and a leaf at the bottom over a teardrop shaped piercing; oval back and slightly incurving stiles molded with a double bead on front and rounded on back; trapezoidal seat with slightly bowed side rails and a saddled front rail, upholstered over the rail, survives with original upholstery foundation; corner braces at all four corners of seat; front legs square in cross section, molded on front and outside, and tapered; rear legs tapered and curved towards rear; all legs chamfered on inside corners; rectangular side, medial, and rear stretchers; medial stretcher even at top with side stretchers but not full height; rear rail veneered on back.

Construction: The seat rails are tenoned into the legs. The medial stretcher is tenoned into the side stretchers which are, in turn, tenoned into the legs. The rear stretcher is tenoned into the rear legs. The back rail is veneered in mahogany where not covered with upholstery. Diagonal braces are set into ithe upper surface of the seat rails in each corner.

The rear stiles extend upwards to form the side sections of the oval back; The upper and lower sections of the oval are mitered and mortise and tenon joined to the stiles. The three pierced slats are tenoned into the upper and lower sections of the oval back.

Woods: Back, legs and stretchers are mahogany, seat rails are tulip poplar.
Label TextThis oval back Baltimore side chair survives with much of its original upholstery foundation intact. A variety of oval back designs were produced in Baltimore during the late 18th and early 19th century. This example has carved bellflowers descending its splat.
MarkingsTwo metal plaques are nailed to the chair: 1) “MARYLAND ROOM” nailed to the underside of the rear stretcher 2) “M.248” nailed to the front of the proper right rear leg under the seat rail.
ProvenanceMay have been presented to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association by Miss. Emily L. Harper, Vice Regent for Maryland in 1877.