Side chair, slat-back

Date1770-1800

MediumMahogany, pine, tulip poplar

DimensionsOH: 35 1/2"; OW: 21 1/2"; OD: 18 1/4"; SH: 15 3/4"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1951-356

DescriptionSlat-back side chair; shaped, pierced crest rail with rounded ears with slightly rounded reverse edges joined to conforming stiles with rounded rear edges above the seat, square sectioned below; three flat shaped, pierced intermediate slats; plain front and side seat rails with quarter-round tops, rear seat rail has top fluted panel; front stile fluted at front and outside; flush mortised single side stretcher, medial stretcher, raised rear stretcher, with slightly rounded tops; slip seat.

Construction: crest rail mortised and glued to rear stiles, intermediate slats tenoned into stiles; seat rails tenoned into stiles and pinned with single wooden pins, front and side rails rabbeted to accept slip seat; chamfered diagonal corner blocks at rear, plain diagonal corner blocks at front; side and rear stretchers tenoned into stiles and pinned with single wooden pins, medial stretcher half-dovetailed into side stretchers and secured with wire nails; slip seat frame mortised and nailed.

Woods: Mahogony, pine corner blocks, poplar seat frame
Inscribed"Old Frame" pencil on front rail of seat frame
ProvenanceThe vendor's mother was the great granddauther of Elijah Williams who carried dispatch for Gov. Trumbull of Connecticut to Gen. Washington. Family history suggests pieces of furniture were brought from Connecticut to Providence, Rhode Island in 1795. From 1795-1917, except for the years 1826-1837, the family pieces were housed at a house on George Street in Providence. These included a chest-on-chest, owned by Moses Brown, that the vendor gave to the Rhode Island Historical Society.