Side chair, splat-back

Date1755-1770

OriginAmerica, Virginia, Rappahannock River Basin

MediumCherry and yellow pine (replacement)

DimensionsOH: 37 3/8"; OD: 17 3/4"; OW: 21 1/2"

Credit LineOn loan courtesy of William Arthur Beverley

Object number1983-17,1 (L)

DescriptionAppearance: serpentine crest rail with semi-circular central element and ears that flare out and back; pierced "owl's eye" splat with chamfered back edges; stiles with rounded backs above seat rail; removable, molded shoe; trapezoidal slip seat; bead molded upper edge of front and side seat rails and top outer edges of front legs; front cabriole legs, with knee blocks, ending in scrolled, trifid feet; rounded rear legs, splayed inward and raking back, with squared feet.
Construction: all elements are of cherry except as noted; stiles and top of splat tenoned into crest rail; base of splat tenoned into rear seat rail; all seat rails tenoned and pinned into legs; front and side seat rails rabbeted to accept slip seat (not original); front and side knee blocks glued to legs and underside of front and side seat rails; no evidence of glue blocks.
ProvenanceOwned and used since the eighteenth century by the Beverley family at Blandfield Plantation, Essex County, Va.