Side Chair, Hitchcock

Date1830-1840

MediumPainted wood, caned seat

Dimensions34 1/2" x 17 7/8" x 17 3/4"

Credit LineGift of Margaret Richardson Philbrick Gift of Margaret Richardson Philbrick

Object number1984.2000.2

DescriptionDiamond slat-back pillow-top Hitchcock-type chair with caned seat. Painted red ground with black overpainting "grained" probably with either comb or brush and decorated with bronze stenciling. "Pillow" is stenciled with eye-like central motif flanked by acanthus-style leaves. Central ball turning on either side of "Pillow" painted gold; gold stripes applied on either side of the turning. Slat stenciled with fruit, leaves vines and flowers. Stiles, slightly curved toward the back, are flat on three sides until just above the seat where they become full round for rear legs which slant slightly to the rear. Stiles are stenciled with pendant acanthus-style leaves at the top and a long thin vertically placed gold rectangle in the center capped at either end by short segment of ionic column topped by stenciled five leaves or commas in configuration similar to trefoil. Stenciled surface outlined with gold striping. Shallow rings turned on stiles just above the seat are painted gold on center rings and striped at outside rings. Caned rectangular seat gently flares toward the front and is shaped along side rails. Top of front, back and side rails of seat decorated with gold striping. Front rail is rounded. Turned front legs are decorated with gold bands and striping on front surface only at the top and at either side of the joint with front stretcher. Legs are thinner near foot which ends in a ball. Front stretcher is ring-turned and bears traces of striping on rings. Two stretchers on each side, one at rear.