Images(3)

Smoking chair

Date1750-1780

OriginAmerica, Virginia, New Kent County

MediumPrimary: Black walnut; Secondary: Yellow pine and tulip poplar (replaced)

DimensionsOH: 30 1/4"; OW: 22 1/8"; OD: 22 1/8"

Credit LineGift of Mr. H. Marshall Goodman, Jr.

Object number2001-847

DescriptionAppearance: Smoking or corner chair with three columnar stiles and two rectangular, slightly tapered splats (replaced) with three vertical inverted tear-drop shaped lozenges; front cabriole leg (missing feet) and applied knee brackets (missing proper left knee bracket); rear legs square at seat rail, tapering from outside corner to round stumps (missing feet); two part half-round arms ending in flat discs surmounted by a shaped crest rail; slipseat (modern tulip poplar), commode seat and commode support (yellow pine).
Label TextChairs of this form were known by various names in colonial America. “Corner chair” and “roundabouts” were two popular names. In Virginia, North Carolina, Maryland, and sometimes Britain they were often called “smoking chairs”. Lord Botetourt’s 1770 inventory for the Governor’s Palace in Williamsburg listed four smoking chairs, two in the parlor and two in the dining room. Other 18th century inventories located the form in bedchambers and halls. These chairs were often employed for writing, reading, and related activities. Some with deep, concealing skirts were fitted with supports for chamber pots (this one was not).

This example was originally owned at Criss Cross, a house in New Kent, County, Virginia. The chair has been reduced in height by the removal of its feet. This may have been an in-use change, perhaps to accomdate an elderly or infirm user, or to remove some sort of damage to the feet.
ProvenanceHistory of having been used at Criss Cross, New Kent County, Virginia.