Side chair, splat-back

Date1765-1768

Probably by William Fenton

MediumMahogany and beech

DimensionsOH: 36 1/8"; OW: 19 7/8"; SD: 18 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1985-260

DescriptionAppearance: serpentine crest rail with small carved ears and carved central portion of foliage and flower flanked by four graduated bellflowers on each side across crest; carved and pierced splat with outwardly curving full-height side members flanking center element with Y at top and base, and carved gothic arch in center with curved volutes on ends atop cross rail; stiles with rounded backs and molded outer edges; molded removable shoe; trapezoidal seat with serpentine front and curved side rails upholstered over the rail; straight tapered front legs; straight, tapered rear legs with chamfered inner corners, rake in and back; H plan stretcher assembly with one rear stretcher.

Construction: all parts of mahogany except as noted; splat and stiles tenoned into crest rail; splat tenoned into rear seat rail and crest rail; shoe nailed to top of rear seat rail; beech seat rails tenoned into legs; diagonal corner braces (missing) at all four corners of seat assembly notched into rails; side and rear stretchers tenoned into leg; medial stretcher tenoned into side stretchers.

Mahogany crest rail, stiles, splat, shoe, front legs, and stretchers; beech seat rails.
Label TextThe importance of this relatively simple neoclassical chair lies primarily in its early Virginia history. Like acc. 1985-259, it descended through the Edward Ambler family of Jamestown, having been purchased at the auction of Lord Dunmore's effects in 1775. At least one other chair from the same set descended through the Nicholas family of Williamsburg and Albemarle County; it too carries the tradition of Dunmore ownership.

That furniture with such conspicuously neoclassical ornament and form was in Virginia by 1775 is remarkable enough, but circumstantial evidence suggests that the chair was imported even earlier. Structural details, including the size of the stock from which the chair was cut, the form of its upholstery peaks, the size and placement of its corner braces, and the stepped form of its rear seat rail are all identical to those on 1985-259, suggesting that both were made in the same shop. The latter chair may have arrived in the colony with Lord Botetourt in 1768 since it is identical to chairs at the home of his heir, the Duke of Beaufort. If so, the present chair and the rest of its set must have been among the first neoclassical furniture ever seen by most Virginians at the time.

InscribedNone.
Markings"VII" is chiseled into the back of the shoe.
ProvenanceThis chair was purchased by a member of the Ambler family at the sale of Lord Dunmore's property in 1776. Along with acc. 1985-259, it was eventually owned by the Moser Furniture Company and the Graves family of Lynchburg.