Images(2)

Photograph courtesy of Northeast Auctions, Portsmouth, NH

Side chair

Date1800-1805

Attributed to Henry Ingle

OriginAmerica, District of Columbia, Washington

MediumMahogany, oak, tulip poplar, and yellow pine

DimensionsOH: 36"; OW: 20"; OD: 21": SD: 18 1/8"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase, The Friends of Colonial Williamsburg Collections Fund

Object number2009-69

DescriptionSquare back side chair with stepped crest rail, the higher central portion of the rail with incurved corners terminating at the tops of two tapered banisters with beaded edges which extend to the stay rail; a small flower is carved in the center of the crest rail; all banisters and rails on the back have beaded edges; the central carved banister stands on scrolled leaves atop the stay rail and is shaped in the form of an urn with three pendant, connected bellflowers terminating in a leaf carved on the front; extending above the urn is a round medallion carved with a sixteen petaled flower surrounded by ribbons and drapery creating swags between the floral medallion and the banisters on either side; the top points of the drapery on the banisters and crest rail are carved with four petaled flowers; scrolled leaves extend from the floral medallion to the crest rail; trapezoidal "saddle" or "hollowed" seat with serpentine front rail upholstered over the rail; tapered molded front legs and un-molded rear legs; "H" form stretchers and slightly higher rear stretcher.
Label TextWith the founding of our nation's Capital in 1790 a myriad of cabinetmakers and carvers flocked to Washington DC and the surrounding cities of Alexandria, Virginia and Georgetown, Maryland. This side chair, with its unusually bold carving of drapery swags and bellflowers, was produced there during the building boom of the early Federal period. The bellflower design with its interspersing chains and single leaf termination is found on other chairs and tables attributed to the same Washington artisan.

Exhibition(s)