Images(7)

Armchair, Upholstered

Date1780-1800

OriginEngland

MediumMahogany, beech, iron, hair, linen, brass

DimensionsOH: 39½”; SH: 15”; OW: 28 1/8”; SW: 28 1/8”; SD: 24”

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1930-178

DescriptionAppearance: Armchair with rectangular back and serpentine top; slightly shaped upholstered arms with "C"-shaped upholstered arm supports; low profile seat upholstered into a rabbet halfway over the seat rails, leaving a small section of the seat rails visible as a skirt; front legs "square" in section and chamfered on inside edge; rear legs "square" in section, flaring slightly to rear; "C" shaped brackets attached to either side of front legs; four, rectangular stretchers, one on each side, one at rear and one medial; castors.

Construction: Seat rails veneered with mahogany on the outside bottom half; seat rails tenoned between legs; diagonal braces in each corner nailed (period) to the inside of the seat rails, rear braces also screwed (modern). Side stretchers tenoned between front and back legs, rear stretcher tenoned between back legs, medial stretcher tenoned between side stretchers. Decorative knee brackets screwed to legs and seat rails, side and front of front legs. Arm supports lapped over seat rails on inside and nailed from inside, now possibly also screwed from outside, covered with new plugs; arm support to arm rest joint obscured by original upholstery, likely tenoned. Arm rests lapped and possibly screwed to stiles, also obscured. Raking rear legs extend into stile supports; stiles sit in grooves in seat rails, nailed to leg supports from front; stiles tenoned to crest rail; tacking rail tenoned between stiles. Outside front edges of arm supports and stiles and top front edge of crest rail chamfered for upholstery.

Upholstery: Original upholstery foundation remains on the arms only. Arm foundation consists of curled hair stuffing covered in linen nailed to the arms. A row of horizontal stitches running from one side of the arm pad to the other maintains the firmness of the arm pad and keeps it from flattening out. Non- intrusively reupholstered in red damask with decorative brass tacks. Profile and style of upholstery based on tacking and shadow evidence on frame.

Materials: Mahogany primary, beech secondary, tacks, hair stuffing, top linen, brass casters.
Label TextMade in England between 1780 and 1800, this armchair frame retains its original foundation upholstery on the armrests. The chair was designed to have upholstery with a tapered profile on the back, arm pads, and arm supports. The seat was covered with an elevated but rounded profile attached partially over the rail.
MarkingsNone found.