Skip to main content
Advanced Search
KC1974.747, NO.6
Corner chair, splat-back
KC1974.747, NO.6

Corner chair, splat-back

Date1760-1775
Attributed to James Graham
OriginAmerica, Massachusetts, Boston
MediumMahogany, mahogany veneer, red oak, and white pine (?)
DimensionsOH: 31 1/4" OW(arm to arm): 31 1/4" OD(seat): 26"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1974-35,6
DescriptionAppearance - curved crest rail, ending on either side on lamb's tongue, centered on arm rail; semi-circular arm rail terminates in circular grips; arm rail supported by three tapering fluted columnar stiles; two vasiform pierced and interlaced gothic splats are beveled on sides from front to back; two molded shoes; front seat rails have molded upper edges; square slip seat; rear and side legs are round and tapered below seat rails and end in small scored pad and disc feet (exceptionally thick discs); front cabriole leg has sharp knee and ends in a scored pad and very thick disc foot; ogee curve knee blocks applied to front legs and flankers applied to each side of side and rear legs.

Construction - all elements mahogany except as noted; crest rail screwed to arm rail (some screws replaced with new screws and nails, some missing); two part semi-circular arm rail butted and glued together in center; the stiles and splats are tenoned into the arm rail, and the stiles are also pinned; the splats are tenoned into shoes which are glued to tops of rear seat rails; seat rails tenoned and pinned into legs; rear oak seat rails have mahogany veneer on backs; front seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; triangular horizontal grain walnut and/or pine (not original) glue blocks nailed and glued into seat rails in corners; oak square slip seat frame not original, side elements tenoned into front and rear elements; knee blocks glued and nailed to bottoms of seat rails; flankers tenoned and pinned into side and rear legs; legs turned on a lathe.

Label TextThis smoking or corner chair descended, along with eight matching side chairs, from the Hinckley family of Marblehead, Massachusetts. Likely made there on in nearby Sale, it demonstrates that such town, while smaller than Boston, were nevertheless capable of supporting talented cabinet and chair makers. The intricately pierced splats and scored foot treatment seen on this chair have been infrequently encountered, but are typical of the low relief decoration employed by many urban New England craftsmen at this period.
Markings1974-53, 1-6
no.1: "VIII" chiseled into rear seat rail; "5" in black grease pencil on left side seat rail, right rear and both front corner glue blocks; "II" in blue grease pencil on rear element of slip seat.

no. 2: "VII" chiseled into rear seat rail; "6" in blue marker on rear seat rail; "III" chiseled into rear element of slip seat; "III" in blue grease pencil on rear element of slip seat.

no. 3: "III" chiseled into rear seat rail; "8" in black grease pencil on rear seat rail, left front corner block, and front and rear elements of slip seat; "VIII" chiseled into rear element of slip seat.

no. 4: "V" chiseled into rear seat rail; "II" in blue grease pencil on rear seat rail and left front corner block; "4" penciled on front element and "7" penciled on rear element of slip seat.

no. 5: "II" chiseled into rear seat rail; "7" in blue grease pencil on rear seat rail, and in black on right rear and left front corner blocks;" IV" chiseled in rear element of slip seat; "IIII" in blue grease pencil on rear element of slips seat; someone's name penciled onto rear seat rail (writing illegible).

no. 6: "II" chiseled into rear corner block.


1974-36, 1-3
no.1: "VI" chiseled into rear seat rail; "IIII" in black grease pencil on rear seat rail and right front corner glue block; "IIII" chiseled into rear element of slip seat frame; "6" in blue grease pencil on rear element of slip seat frame.

no. 2: "IIII" chiseled into rear seat rail; "III" in dark blue grease pencil on rear seat rail; "II" chiseled into rear element of slip seat frame; "5" in grease pencil on front and rear elements of slip seat frame.

no. 3: "I" chiseled into rear seat rail; "I" in blue grease pencil on right front glue block; "V" chiseled into rear element of slip seat frame; "I" in blue grease pencil on front element of slip seat frame.
ProvenanceDescended in the Huntington family from Hannah Hinckley of Marblehead, Massachusetts, wife of Dr. Elisha Huntington, the mayor of Lowell, and later Lt. Gov. of Massachusetts.