Armchair, splat-back

DateCa. 1793

Artist/Maker Robert Carter

MediumPrimary: Mahogany. Secondary: Ash seat rails; white pine corner blocks; tulip diagonal braces.

DimensionsOH: 38 1/4"; OW(seat): 25 1/2"; OD(seat): 18 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1964-258,1

DescriptionArmchair, shield back composed of serpentine top rail and curved stiles which meet at base; rail and stiles molded on front face; interior of back composed of four vertical stiles, each curved and tapering inward from top rail and terminating in carved, semi-circular lunette at base; each stile decorated with row of horizontal beading at top; reeded below above scale-like ornamentaion, with narrow band of vertical beading at bottom; back supported by pair of slightly serpentine supports connecting base of back with rear of seat; armchairs have flat, serpentine arms, molded on upper edge and terminating in carved rosette at front; bowed arm supports extend forward from front of arms and are screwed to side of seat at front; face of arm supports molded as arm; broad seat, stuffed and upholstered over seat rail; bowed front rail; plain, tapering front legs, square in section, terminating in spade feet; rear legs square in section, flare inward and to rear; four side and one armchair upholstered in black horsehair; two side and one armchair upholstered in green patterned horsehair; upholsery attached by two rows of brass tacks, the upper row arranged in serpentine pattern, the lower in straight lines at base of skirt.
ProvenanceThese chairs were in all likelihood made by Robert Carter of New York in 1793 for Peter Edmund Elmendorf of Albany. One chair is branded with Elmendorf's initials and the bill of sale from Carter is extant (see Ref. and Remarks). From Elmendorf they apparently descended to his daughter Maria who married Peter Sanders; then to their son Charles; the set was then apparently split up between his two sons, Charles P II and Livingston; Charles P II's share went to his son J. Glen, the last family owner of Scotia; the source from whom CW obtained the chairs purchased them from the widows of J. Glen and Livingston, along with the other items in the collection.