Side chair

Date1770-1780

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Piedmont or Valley

MediumWalnut

DimensionsOH: 37"; OW: 22 1/2"; OD: 21 1/4"; SD: 18 3/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1974-178

DescriptionAppearance: crest rail with slightly concave top and an ogee curve on the bottom between splat and each stile; splat tapered from top to base with three vertical piercings; stiles flare out slightly at top and have rounded backs above seat rails; molded shoe; trapezoidal slip seat; side and front seat rails with bead molded upper edges; four Marlborough legs with chamfered inner edges; front legs with bead molded outer edges and top outer edges; rear legs raked back with a double angle; H-plan stretcher assembly with one rear stretcher.

Construction: all elements are of walnut; stiles and top of splat tenoned into crest rail; bottom of splat tenoned into shoe which is glued to rear seat rail; bottom of splat tenoned into shoe which is glued to rear seat rail; all seat rails tenoned and pinned into legs; side and front seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; slip seat replaced; front blocking replaced; horizontal rear blocking glued and nailed to side and rear seat rails; side and rear stretchers tenoned and pinned into legs; medial stretcher tenoned into side stretchers.
Markings"XVII" chiseled into inside of rear seat rail
ProvenanceSource acquired the chair from the estate of Mrs. Ella Williams Smith in or around Charlottesville, VA.