Side Chair

Date1765-1785

Attributed to John Cornwell

MediumBlack walnut with yellow pine.

DimensionsOH: 37 5/8"; OW: 19"; OD: 16 1/4"; H(seat):17 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-60,1

DescriptionSide chair with uncarved voluted ears and reverse serpentine crest rail; upper part of splat has long tapered fenestration, concave at the top and convex at the bottom, the lower part is heart-shaped with a heart-shaped fenestration; one-piece shoe and rear rail with quarter round molding at joint with splat, filleted at the bottom; deeply rabbeted seat rail; quarter-round molding on upper edge of seat rails, ovolo molding running up the leading edge of the square front legs; rear legs square below the seat, with angular chamfers post above seat, chamfer also runs across reverse bottom edge of crest rail; front and rear stretchers set above side stretchers; modern leather upholstery on seats.

CONSTRUCTION: normal mortise-and-tenon chair construction; one-piece rear rail and shoe, full thickness from top to bottom; stretchers, seat frame and stile-to-crest joints all pinned.
Markings"IIII" chiseled onto interior surface of front seat rail and "IIII" chiseled into underside of front slip seat frame member.