Side chair, splat-back

Date1760-1775

Attributed to James Graham

MediumMahogany and red oak

DimensionsOH: 37 1/2"; OW: 23 3/4"; W (seat): 21 3/4"; D (seat): 17 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas W. Wood.

Object number1974-36,1

DescriptionAppearance - serpentine crest rail with voluted ears and central piercing; pierced gothic vasiform shaped splat with central interlaced pattern; sides of splat beveled front to back; stiles stop-fluted on front and rounded on backs above seat rails; molded shoe; trapezoidal slip seat; front and side seat rails molded on upper edges; front cabriole legs have sharp knees and end in scored pad and exceptionally thick disc feet; rear tapering legs have slightly rounded edges, and end in square feet; ogee curved knee blocks applied to front and sides of front legs; flankers applied to side seat rails and rear legs.

Construction - all elements mahogany except as noted; stiles and splat tenoned into crest rail, stiles also pinned; splat tenoned into shoe which is glued to rear seat rail; all four seat rails tenoned and pinned into legs; rear oak seat rail has mahogany veneer on back; front and side seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; triangular horizontal grain walnut and/or pine (not original) blocks diagonally glued and nailed into all four seat rails in corners; side elements of oak slip seat frame tenoned into front and rear elements; front and side knee blocks glued and nailed to seat rails and front legs; rear flanking blocks tenoned and pinned to rear legs, glued and nailed to side seat rails; cabriole legs turned on lathe (center mark still visible on bottoms of some front feet).
Markings1974-35, 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.