Side Chair, Splat Back

Date1730-1765

MediumBlack walnut and maple

DimensionsOH: 40"; OW: 21 1/4"; OD: 17 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-165,1

DescriptionAppearance: Side chair with compass seat; yoke shaped crest rail; cyma curve back; vase-shaped splat, back edge of splat chamfered; cavetto splat shoe with quarter round bead; stiles chamfered on reverse above seat rails, on all four sides below seat rail and above stretchers, and on front below stretchers; plain seat rails, lower edge of front and side seat rails indented, seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat frame; plain cabriole legs with ogee knee brackets; ball and claw feet, exaggerated knuckles and webbing; H plan stretchers, block and turned side stretchers, additional rear stretcher raised above others, medial and rear stretcher simply turned.

Construction: Walnut throughout, maple slip seat; all joints pinned except crest rail, medial and rear stretchers; crest rail mortised to accept tenons of stiles and splat; splat shoe mortised for splat and nailed to rear set rail; seat rails tenoned to stiles and legs; front legs and seat rails appear to have been first pinned from behind and latter pinned from the exterior; knee brackets nailed in place (modern nails) side stretchers tenoned to stiles and legs, medial stretcher round-tenoned between side stretchers; back stretcher round tenoned between stiles.

Woods: Black walnut throughout with maple slip seat.
Markings"VI" carved into inside of front seat rail. "30-165" stamped into rear member of slip seat and chiseled on front member of slip seat and front seat rail.
ProvenanceEx coll: L.G. Meyers; Girl Scout exhibition 1929