Side chair, splat-back

Date1722-1745

OriginAmerica, Massachusetts or New York

MediumMaple, chestnut seat rails, leather, and brass

DimensionsOH 43 1/4" OW (seat) 18 1/2" OD (seat) 18"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1964-250

DescriptionArched cresting rail, molded on front face; S-shaped stiles, the face of which continue the molding of cresting rail; high, rectangular back follows serpentine contour of stiles, upholstered in leather and attached with brass-headed nails at top sides, and to rectangular cross piece at base above seat; "square" seat, upholstered over seat rails, covered with leather and fastened with brass-headed nails; block and vase-turned front legs terminating in elongated ball feet; rear legs, square in section, flare to rear; ball and ring turned front stretcher; rectangular side and rear stretchers. Virtually identical to 1964-249.
ProvenanceThe only clue to the history of these chairs before the 20th century is an entry in a list of furniture probably written by Charles P. Sanders II about 1923. He referred to "Late Spanish Chair 1700 (Ten Broeck Boxback)" The date is about right, stylistically at any point, and there is a possibility that these chairs did originally have Spanish feet. If the Ten Broeck attribution is correct, there are at least two ways in which the chair could have entered the Sanders' family. John Sanders II married in 1801 Albertina Ten Broeck. Charl es P. Sanders I married Jane Livingston TenBroeck in 1846. The latter possibilty seems more likely. Only one of these chairs was at Scotia in the early 1960s when the collection was sold. The other was owned by Adelide Ten Broeck Sanders, widow of Livingston, who lived near by. (See confidential memo written by Mrs. J. Glen Sanders upon viewing objects in Williamsburg. Memo filed in folder between 1964-205 and 206.) If, as seems likely, Charles P Sanders I divided up his estate between his two married sons from Scotia at the time and were owned by Livingston and his widow Addie until reunited in 1964.