Side chair, splat-back

Date1775-1800

OriginAmerica, North Carolina or Virginia

MediumBlack walnut and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 3'3 5/8"; OW:1' 9 3/8"; OD: 1' 7 7/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1963-27

DescriptionSide chair, splat back: flat-topped cresting rail; underside serpentine between top of splat and stiles. Stiles rectangular; flare out slightly at top; solid splat V-shaped with fillet at base. Moulded shoe glued to top of rear rail overhangs front of rail. Seat frame trapezoidal, slightly rounded on top edges. Yellow pine slipseat. Four plain square unchamfered legs; slightly rounded at outside corners; joined by four rectangular stretchers, front, side, and rear.
Label TextThis walnut side chair is typical of chairs known to have been made in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. It is quite similar to CWF set #1960-840, 1-6, Petersburg chairs 1992-86, 1-2, and to a chair in the Virginia Historical Society that descended from Governor Gooch of Virginia. All of these chairs were based on English prototypes for their design.
InscribedA Dennison/ gummed label is pasted to inner side of left rail; on it in ink is "Soceiety"
MarkingsNumerals XII stamped into seat frame and on top of front skirt.
ProvenancePurchased by John Graham for Colonial Williamsburg at New York Antique Show, January 1963 fromn Avis & Rockwell Gardiner (Stamford, Connecticut) antique dealers.