Side chair, splat-back

Date1760-1780

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Alexandria (possibly)

MediumMahoany, yellow pine, and white cedar

DimensionsOH: 36 5/8"; OW: 21 1/4"; OD: 17 1/2"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1982-173

DescriptionAppearance: slightly concave crest rail with rounded top, tightly scrolled volutes at each end, and an ogee curve on the bottom between the splat and each stile; splat tapered from top to bottom with four vertical piercings, each bridged midway with a small convex loop; stiles with flat faces, backs rounded above seat rails; trapezoidal slip seat with serpentine front; side and serpentine front seat rails have thumbnail molded upper edges; four marlborough legs with chamfered inner corners; rear legs raked slightly back; plain H-plan stretchers and one rear stretcher.

Construction: all elements of walnut except as noted; stiles and top of splat tenoned into crest rail; base of splat tenoned into shoe which is glued and nailed to rear seat rail; front and side seat rails tenoned into front legs, side seat rails through tenoned into rear legs, rear seat rail tenoned and pinned into rear legs; side and front seat rails rabbeted to receive slip seat; side elements of yellow pine slip seat frame tenoned and pinned into front and rear elements; original white cedar quarter-round block glued into left rear corner of seat frame (right rear block missing); original white cedar notched rectangular block glued into left front corner of seat frame (right front block missing); rear and side stretchers tenoned into legs; medial stretcher half-covetailed into side stretchers from below.

Woods: Primary wood: mahogany; secondary woods: white cedar and yellow pine
Markings"III" chiseled into bottom of front slip seat frame element; modern tag attached to ca. 1950s upholstery bears stamp of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.