Splat-back side chair

Dateca. 1770

OriginAmerica, New Hampshire, Portsmouth

MediumWalnut

DimensionsOH: 36 1/2", OH (seat): 17", OW: 21", OD: 16 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1939-98

DescriptionSplat-back yoke-crested side chair with pointed and flared ears; thin, tapering splat with long, vertical piercings arched top and bottom and interrupted at the center; tall, thin shoe with shallow quarter round molding set on thinner rear rail; thinly rabbeted seat rails slightly rounded-off at the top; rectilinear box stretchers with little shaping; squared rear stiles, chamfered on interior edge below seat and on reverse above seat. Side chair has pinned mortise and tenon joinery on seat rails and stretchers; modern triangular glue blocks appear to match design of the original (based on glue residue evidence) and are glued and nailed into place; shoe nailed to rear stretcher; splat tenoned into crest and shoe; stile tenoned into crest.
Inscribed"2" in pencil inside front seat rail.
Markings"V" chiseled into rabbet of front seat rail