Side Chair, one of pair

Date1765-1780

Attributed to John Pollard (1740 - 1787)

Possibly by Benjamin Randolph (1721 - 1791)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumPrimary wood is mahogany with oak seat rails and pine corner blocks.

DimensionsOH: 38 3/4"; OW: 22 3/4"; SD:17 1/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-173,1

DescriptionSide chair, serpentine cresting rail outlined at top with raised scrolls, carved, flaring semi-scrolled ears with single trailing acanthus leaf carved just below ear. Molded, tapering stiles, rounded at back. Pierced Gothic splat topped by raised carved, broad three feather motif with raised C-scrolls carved at either side. Two carved pendant bell flowers at center splat. Pireced trefoil with raised molding at lower part of splat. Seat, "square" in section, upholstered over chair rail. Cabriole legs with scrolled shoulders and ball and claw feet. Foliate carving on knee and shoulder. Rear legs cylindrical in section, flaring at back.
Label TextRecent research suggests that the carving on this Philadelphia side chair was done by John Pollard, a London trained carver working in Philadelphia during the mid to late 18th century. Pollard worked as a specialist in Benjamin Randolph's cabinetshop from his arrival in 1765 until he opened his own business in 1773. The overall design for the back of this chair derives from plate XVI in Thomas Chippendale's THE GENTLEMAN AND CABINETMAKER'S DIRECTOR (London, 1762).
MarkingsBranded "I" on front and back seat rail and has modern paper label marked "II".
ProvenanceWhiting, Mrs. Giles