Side chair

Date1750-1755

Possibly by Nicholas Bernard (d. 1789)

OriginAmerica, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia

MediumMahogany and tulip poplar

DimensionsOH: 41 5/8"; OW: 24"; OD: 17 1/2"; OH: seat 17 5/8"

Credit LineGift of Dr. & Mrs. Warren Koontz.

Object number1977-226

DescriptionSide chair with down scrolled ears flanking the raised center of the crest rail which is ornamented by a large asymetrical shell. Between the ears and shell, and up the stiles, is floral and foliate carving. The splat is pierced: there are four volutes, leaf carving covering almost the entire surface, and a florette at the center juncture of the strap work. The shoe and the molded top edge of the seat rail are elaborately carved. There is a trapezoidal slip seat. The lower edge of the front seat rail is scalloped, and the rail is carved from the bottom almost to the top with leaves and flowers. Above the bulge of the cabriole legs, the legs are carved almost to the top edge of the seat rail. The knee blocks are S-curved and carved with leaves. The knee carving is mostly stylized acanthus leaves. The cabriole front legs terminate in crisply carved claw and ball feet. The rounded back legs rake strongly to the rear.
Label TextDescending in the Lambert family of Lambertville, NJ near Philadelphia, this chair exhibits some of the richest carved detail produced in the Quaker City, possibly by French carver Nicholas Bernard. Such rococo features as the smooth transition from the knee to the seat rail and heavily carved and shaped seat rail are rarely seen in Philadelphia examples. The back displays the same intense rococo carving, but it overlays a large-scale interwoven strapwork splat that reflects forms of the early George II period.
InscribedSlip seat marked "III"
ProvenanceDescended in the Lambert family of Lambertville, NJ.

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