Side chair

Datec. 1790

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Suffolk area or Williamsburg

MediumMahogany, yellow pine, and tulip poplar

DimensionsOH: 37 1/2"; H seat: 18 1/2"; OW: 20 1/2"; OD: 17"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1978-85

DescriptionSplat-back side chair. Flat crest rail chamfered on lower back corner; stiles with flat front faces, chamfered on back corners; rectangular splat with slight taper, pierced in lattice-work design; coved shoe (no molding); trapezoidal upholstered slipseat, seat of yellow pine and tulip poplar with cut-nail nailed contruction and unusual shape to rails: each flat seat rail has a projection from the same board that entends down into the seat of the chair about 1"; seat rails rounded on top edges and chamfered on inside lower corner; straight tapered legs, rear legs chamfered on inside corner; side, front and rear stretchers, rectangular in cross section.
ProvenanceAccording to vendor, chair belonged to Mary Swepson Allen Darden (1837-1913), daughter of Mary (1810-1861) and Archibald Allen of "Rose Hill" near Suffolk. It descended in the Webb family in Suffolk along with other items from the Prentis family of Williamsburg, Swepson family of Suffolk, and the Allen and Webb families.