Splat back armchair

Dateca. 1760

Attributed to John Elliott

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumWalnut and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 39 3/4"; OW: 29 1/4"; OD: 22 1/4"; H(seat): 15"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1961-142

DescriptionSplat back armchair: serpentine crest rail; carved shell in center; scrolled ears which turn back at ends. Solid vase splat of burl walnut. Stiles bend backwards, and flare out at top to meet scrolled ears of cresting rail, into which they are tennoned and pinned. Bead molding on outer edges of stiles and cresting rail conforms to outline of these parts. Shaped arms, scrolled and knuckle ends canting out at 45 degree angle. Arm supports curve, and are mellon shaped. Seat is "square" or straight-sided. Side skirts are tennoned and pinned through the back legs; tennon ends exposed. Front skirt has cupid's bow cut-out at base. Back legs flare out at back; are square with chamfered edges. Front legs shell-carved at knees, surrounded by scrolled spandrels. Legs are cabriole; end in claw-and-ball feet.

Woods: Primary: walnut; Secondary: Southern Yellow Pine in seat frame
ProvenanceThe history of this chair, as told by a member (or members) of the Bird family, and as related by Robert T. Trump (who sold the chair to CW) is as follows: The chair was made circa 1760 in Philadelphia for James Bird by the same cabinetmaker who made a chair for General Washington. The Bird family was a prominent one in 18th century Philadelphia. The chair was in the Bird family house at 306 Delancey St. until the 1890s, when the family moved to Germantown, Pennsylvania. The chair was inherited by various members of the Bird family, and the last owner- a direct descendant of the original owner-sold it to source.