Side chair, splat-back

Date1790-1800

MediumMahogany. Secondary: ash seat framing; white pine corner blocks

DimensionsOH 39" OW (Seat) 20 3/4" OD 21 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1964-257,1

DescriptionShield back with triple arch top and molded stiles terminating at point at base; back composed of three, upright splats, the center one pierced and fan-shaped at top; each upright is carved with acanthus leafage near bottom, and crosshatched blocks at center; between block and acamthus carving on center splat is a row of carved husks; the three splats meet at base of back in carved, lunette; carved foliage fills area between side splats and top of stiles on either side; serpentine shape supports below back on either side connect to rear of seat; narrow area of carved leafage between supports and back; square seatm with bowed front rail, upholstered over seat rail;one chair coverede with green, patterned horsehair, the other in unpatterned black; both fastened with brass nails in serpentine row above lower straight row; front legs square in section, tapering to base and terminating in tapering,spade feet; front and sides of legs carved with dependant husks on upper portion; rear legs square in section, tapering and flaring to rear. (the chair with black horsehair covering hs it original covering, the other is a later replacement)
Label TextThe splat design found on this chair was used throughout the colonies from New England to Baltimore. Several sets of this basic design were made in New York, most with carved backs in the manner of these chairs, although usually less elaborate. This particular set is the only one with the legs carved as well as the backs. The design for this chair is described in the New York Price Book of 1796 as: A Vase Back Stay Rail Chair, With serpentine top and three upright splats or bannister in ditto, straight seat, made for stuffing over the rails".
ProvenanceThese two chairs are part of a larger set which was apparently once owned by Robert Fulton. Although they are not identified as such in the Sanders papers, they are illustrated in a book published in 1899 next to the washstand (1964-502) which according to tradition was owned by Fulton. According to another account, one room in the house contained furniture owned by Fulton. This Fulton tradition is further reinforced by the existence of two other chairs form the same set owned by Doctors C. Ray and Winifred Hope Franklin. According to the owners the chairs were purchased from one of Robert Fulton's direct descendents who stated: "These chairs were owned by Robert Fulton, whose wife was a Livingston, and came to me through my maternal grandmother, Helen Livingston ten Broeck. Helen Livingston Ten Broeck may have been a sister to Jane Livingston Ten Broeck (1826-1896) who married Charles P. Sanders I, and thus CW 1964-257, may indeed have once been owned by Robert Fulton.